Psalms 56

1 For the end, concerning the people that were removed from the sanctuary, by David for a memorial, when the Philistines caught him in Geth. Have mercy upon me, O God; for man has trodden me down; all the day long he warring has afflicted me.

For the Chief Musician. To the tune of “Silent Dove in Distant Lands.” A poem by David, when the Philistines seized him in Gath. Be merciful to me, God, for man wants to swallow me up. All day long, he attacks and oppresses me.

2 Mine enemies have trodden me down all the day from the dawning of the day; for there are many warring against me.

My enemies want to swallow me up all day long, for they are many who fight proudly against me.

3 They shall be afraid, but I will trust in you.

When I am afraid, I will put my trust in you.

4 In God I will praise my words; all the day have I hoped in God; I will not fear what flesh shall do to me.

In God, I praise his word. In God, I put my trust. I will not be afraid. What can flesh do to me?

5 All the day long they have abominated my words; all their devices [are] against me for evil.

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

6 They will dwell near and hide [themselves]; they will watch my steps, accordingly as I have waited patiently in my soul.

They conspire and lurk, watching my steps. They are eager to take my life.

7 You will on no account save them; you will bring down the people in wrath.

Shall they escape by iniquity? In anger cast down the peoples, God.

8 O God, I have declared my life to you; you has set my tears before you, even according to your promise.

You count my wanderings. You put my tears into your container. Aren’t they in your book?

9 Mine enemies shall be turned back, in the day wherein I shall call upon you; behold, I know that you are my God.

Then my enemies shall turn back in the day that I call. I know this: that God is for me.

10 In God, will I praise [his] word; in the Lord will I praise [his] saying.

In God, I will praise his word. In the LORD, I will praise his word.

11 I have hoped in God; I will not be afraid of what man shall do to me.

I have put my trust in God. I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?

12 The vows of your praise, O God, which I will pay, are upon me.

Your vows are on me, God. I will give thank offerings to you.

13 For you have delivered my soul from death, and my feet from sliding, that I should be well-pleasing before God in the land of the living.

For you have delivered my soul from death, and prevented my feet from falling, that I may walk before God in the light of the living.