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

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

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

When I am afraid, I will 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, 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 wrest my words; all their thoughts are against me for evil.

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

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

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

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

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

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

You number my wanderings. You put my tears into your bottle. Aren't they 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 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 Jehovah will I praise [his] word.

In God, I will praise his word. In Jehovah, I will praise his word.

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

I have put my trust in God. 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 on me, God. I will give 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 prevented my feet from falling, that I may walk before God in the light of the living.