Psalms 56

1 To the chief Musician. On Jonathelem-rechokim. Of David. Michtam; when the Philistines took him in Gath. Be gracious unto me, O God; for man would swallow me up: all the day long fighting he oppresseth me.

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.

2 Mine enemies would swallow [me] up all the day long; for they are many that fight against me haughtily.

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

3 In the day that I am afraid, I will confide in thee.

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

4 In God will I praise his word, in God I put my confidence: I will not fear; what can flesh do unto me?

In God, whose word I praise— in God I trust. I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?

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

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

6 They gather themselves together, they hide themselves; they mark my steps, because they wait for my soul.

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

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

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

8 Thou countest my wanderings; put my tears into thy bottle: are they not in thy book?

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

9 Then shall mine enemies return backward in the day when I call: this I know, for God is for me.

Then my enemies will retreat on the day I cry for help. By this I will know that God is on my side.

10 In God will I praise [his] word; in Jehovah will I praise [his] word.

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

11 In God have I put my confidence: I will not fear; what can man do unto me?

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

12 Thy vows are upon me, O God: I will render thanks unto thee.

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

13 For thou hast delivered my soul from death; [wilt thou] not [keep] my feet from falling, that I may walk before God in the light of the living?

For You have delivered my soul from death, and my feet from stumbling, that I may walk before God in the light of life.