Psalms 56

1 For the music director. According to “Dove on Distant Oaks.” A psalm (miktam) of David concerning the time the Philistines captured him in Gath. God, please be gracious to me, for people are persecuting me; my attackers fight against me all day long.

To him that excelleth. A Psalme of David on Michtam, concerning the dumme doue in a farre countrey, when the Philistims tooke him in Gath. Be mercifull vnto me, O God, for man would swallow me vp: he fighteth continually and vexeth me.

2 My enemies chase me down all the time—there are many of them, attacking me in their arrogance.

Mine enemies would dayly swallowe mee vp: for many fight against me, O thou most High.

3 But when I'm afraid, I trust in you.

When I was afrayd, I trusted in thee.

4 I thank God for his promises. I trust in God, so why should I be fearful? What can mere human beings do to me?

I will reioyce in God, because of his word, I trust in God, and will not feare what flesh can doe vnto me.

5 They constantly twist my words against me; they spend all their time thinking of evil things to do to me.

Mine owne wordes grieue me dayly: all their thoughtes are against me to doe me hurt.

6 They gather together in their hiding places to keep watch on me, hoping to kill me.

They gather together, and keepe them selues close: they marke my steps, because they waite for my soule.

7 Will they escape when they do so much evil? God, in anger bring these people down!

They thinke they shall escape by iniquitie: O God, cast these people downe in thine anger.

8 You've kept track of all my wanderings. You've collected all my tears in your bottle. You've kept a record of each one.

Thou hast counted my wandrings: put my teares into thy bottel: are they not in thy register?

9 Then those who hate me will run away when I call for your help. For I know this: God is for me!

When I cry, then mine enemies shall turne backe: this I know, for God is with me.

10 I thank God for his promises. I thank the Lord for his promises.

I will reioyce in God because of his worde: in the Lord wil I reioyce because of his worde.

11 I trust in God, so why should I be fearful? What can mere human beings do to me?

In God doe I trust: I will not be afrayd what man can doe vnto me.

12 God, I will keep my promises to you. I will give thank offerings to you,

Thy vowes are vpon me, O God: I will render prayses vnto thee.

13 for you have saved me from death and kept me from falling. Now I walk in the presence of God, in the light that gives life.

For thou hast deliuered my soule from death, and also my feete from falling, that I may walke before God in the light of the liuing.