< Psalms 56 >

1 For the choirmaster. To the tune of “A Dove on Distant Oaks.” A Miktam of David, when the Philistines seized him in Gath. Be merciful to me, O God, for men are hounding me; all day they press their attack.
For the leader. On jonath elem rehokim. Of David. A michtam, when the Philistines seized him in Gath. O God, be gracious to me, for people trample upon me, all the day righting and pressing me.
2 My enemies pursue me all day long, for many proudly assail me.
All the day enemies trample me; many there be who contend with me bitterly.
3 When I am afraid, I put my trust in You.
In the day of my terror I trust in you.
4 In God, whose word I praise— in God I trust. I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?
In God I maintain my cause, in God I fearlessly trust. What can flesh do to me?
5 All day long they twist my words; all their thoughts are on my demise.
They torture me all the day, they ceaselessly plan to hurt me,
6 They conspire, they lurk, they watch my steps while they wait to take my life.
banded together in secret, watching my every step, as those who hope for my death.
7 In spite of such sin, will they escape? In Your anger, O God, cast down the nations.
Pay them out for their sin, O God, hurl down the strong in your anger.
8 You have taken account of my wanderings. Put my tears in Your bottle— are they not in Your book?
You yourself count my wanderings. Put in your bottle my tears are they not in your book?
9 Then my enemies will retreat on the day I cry for help. By this I will know that God is on my side.
Then shall my foes be turned back in the day that I call. Of this I am sure, because God is for me.
10 In God, whose word I praise, in the LORD, whose word I praise,
In God I maintain my cause, in the Lord I maintain my cause.
11 in God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?
In God I fearlessly trust, what can people do to me?
12 Your vows are upon me, O God; I will render thank offerings to You.
Your vows are upon me, O God, I will render thank-offerings to you;
13 For You have delivered my soul from death, and my feet from stumbling, that I may walk before God in the light of life.
because you have saved me from death, my feet from stumbling, to the end that I walk before God in the light of the living.

< Psalms 56 >