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 chief musician; set to Jonath elem rehokim. A psalm of David. A michtam; when the Philistines took him in Gath. Be merciful to me, God, for men are attacking me! All the day long those who fight me press their assault.

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

My enemies trample me all day long; for there are many who arrogantly fight against me.

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

When I am afraid, I will put my 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, whose word I praise— in God I have put my trust; I will not be afraid; what can mere man do to me?

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

All the day long they twist my words; all their thoughts are against me for evil.

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

They gather themselves together, they hide themselves, and they mark my steps, just as they have waited for my life.

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

Do not let them escape doing iniquity. Bring down the peoples in your anger, God.

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

You number my wanderings and put my tears into your bottle; 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 my enemies will turn back on the day that I call to you; this I know, that God is for me.

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

In God—whose word I praise, in Yahweh—whose word I praise,

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

in God I trust, I will not be afraid. What can anyone do to me?

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

The duty to fulfill my vows to you is on me, God; I will give 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.

For you have rescued my life from death; you have kept my feet from falling, so that I may walk before God in the light of the living.