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.

God, be merciful to me because men have harassed me; all day my enemies pursue me.

2 My enemies pursue me all day long, for many proudly assail me.

My enemies harass me all day long; there are many of them who proudly attack me.

3 When I am afraid, I put my trust in You.

But whenever I am afraid, 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?

God, I praise/thank you because you do what you have promised; I trust in you, and then I am not afraid. Ordinary humans certainly cannot [RHQ] harm me!

5 All day long they twist my words; all their thoughts are on my demise.

All day long my enemies claim that I said things that I did not say (OR, try to destroy what I am doing); they are always thinking of ways to harm me.

6 They conspire, they lurk, they watch my steps while they wait to take my life.

In order to cause trouble for me, they hide and watch everything that I do, waiting for [an opportunity] to kill me [MTY].

7 In spite of such sin, will they escape? In Your anger, O God, cast down the nations.

So, God, punish them for the wicked things that they are doing; show that you are angry by defeating those people!

8 You have taken account of my wanderings. Put my tears in Your bottle— are they not in Your book?

You have counted [all] the times that I have been wandering alone/distressed; [it is as though] you have put [all] my tears in a bottle [in order that you can see how much I have cried]. [You have counted my tears and written] the number 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.

When I call out to you, [my] God, my enemies will be defeated; I know that will happen, because you are fighting for me.

10 In God, whose word I praise, in the LORD, whose word I praise,

I praise/thank you that you do what you have promised; Yahweh, I [will always] praise you for that [DOU].

11 in God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?

I trust in you, and as a result, I will not be afraid. I know that humans cannot really [RHQ] harm me!

12 Your vows are upon me, O God; I will render thank offerings to You.

I will bring to you the offering that I promised; I will bring an offering to you to thank 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 rescued me from being killed; you have kept me from stumbling. As a result, I will continue to live in your presence in the light that [shines on those who are still] alive (OR, in the light that [enables people to] live).