Psalms 56

1 Unto the end, for a people that is removed at a distance from the sanctuary for David, for an inscription of a title (or pillar) when the Philistines held him in Geth. Have mercy on me, O God, for man hath trodden me under foot; all the day long he hath afflicted me fighting against 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 My enemies have trodden on me all the day long; for they are many that make war against me.

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

3 From the height of the day I shall fear: but I will trust in thee.

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

4 In God I will praise my words, in God I have put my trust: I will not fear what flesh can do against 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 detested my words: all their thoughts were against me unto evil.

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

6 They will dwell and hide themselves: they will watch my heel. As they have waited for my soul,

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

7 For nothing shalt thou save them: in thy anger thou shalt break the people in pieces, O God,

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

8 I have declared to thee my life: thou hast set my tears in thy sight, As also in thy promise.

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

9 Then shall my enemies be turned back. In what day soever I shall call upon thee, behold I know thou art 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 the word, in the Lord will I praise his speech.

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

11 In God have I hoped, I will not fear what man can do to me.

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

12 In me, O God, are vows to thee, which I will pay, praises to thee:

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

13 Because thou hast delivered my soul from death, my feet from falling: that I may please in the sight of 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.