< 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.
To the Overseer. — 'On the Dumb Dove far off.' — A secret treasure of David, in the Philistines' taking hold of him in Gath. Favour me, O God, for man swallowed me up, All the day fighting he oppresseth me,
2 My enemies pursue me all day long, for many proudly assail me.
Mine enemies have swallowed up all the day, For many [are] fighting against me, O most High,
3 When I am afraid, I put my trust in You.
The day I am afraid I am confident toward Thee.
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 praise His word, in God I have trusted, I fear not what flesh doth to me.
5 All day long they twist my words; all their thoughts are on my demise.
All the day they wrest my words, Concerning me all their thoughts [are] for evil,
6 They conspire, they lurk, they watch my steps while they wait to take my life.
They assemble, they hide, they watch my heels, When they have expected my soul.
7 In spite of such sin, will they escape? In Your anger, O God, cast down the nations.
By iniquity they escape, In anger the peoples put down, O God.
8 You have taken account of my wanderings. Put my tears in Your bottle— are they not in Your book?
My wandering Thou hast counted, Thou — place Thou my tear in Thy bottle, Are they not in Thy 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 turn back do mine enemies in the day I call. This I have known, that God [is] for me.
10 In God, whose word I praise, in the LORD, whose word I praise,
In God I praise the word, In Jehovah I praise the word.
11 in God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?
In God I trusted, I fear not what man doth to me,
12 Your vows are upon me, O God; I will render thank offerings to You.
On me, O God, [are] Thy vows, I repay thank-offerings to Thee.
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 Thou hast delivered my soul from death, Dost Thou not my feet from falling? To walk habitually before God in the light of the living!