Psalms 56

1 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.

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

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

3 When I was afrayd, I trusted in thee.

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

4 I will reioyce in God, because of his word, I trust in God, and will not feare what flesh can doe vnto 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 Mine owne wordes grieue me dayly: all their thoughtes are against me to doe me hurt.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Then my enemies shall turn back in the day that I call. I know this: that God is for me.

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

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

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

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

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

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

13 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.

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.