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 the Chief Musician. Upon "The Dove of God from the distant Sea." David’s. A precious Psalm. When the Philistines seized him in Gath. Show me favour, O God, For weak man hath panted for me, All the day, a fighter oppresseth me:

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

Mine adversaries have panted all the day, For, many, are fighting with me, loftily.

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

What day I am afraid, I, unto thee will direct my confidence.

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?

In God, I will praise his cause, —In God, have I trusted, I will not fear, What can flesh do unto me?

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

All the day, they wrest, my words, Against me, all their devices are for mischief;

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

They stir up strife—they lie hid, They, mark my steps, —Seeing they have waited for my life.

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

Because of iniquity, recompense thou them, —In anger, bring thou down, the peoples, O God.

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.

My wandering, hast, thou, recorded, —Put thou my tears in thy bottle, Are they not in thy record?

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

Then, shall my foes turn back, in the day I cry, This, I know, for God is mine!

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

In God, will I praise with good cause: In Yahweh, will I praise with good cause;

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

In God, have I trusted, I will not fear, What can a son of earth do unto me!

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

Upon me, O God, are thy vows, I will pay back praises unto 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 rescued my soul from death, Wilt thou not [rescue] my feet from stumbling? That I may walk to and fro, before God, In the light of life.