Psalms 56

1 For the Leader; upon Jonath-elem-rehokim. A Psalm 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 he fighting 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 They that lie in wait for me would swallow me up all the day; for they are many that fight against me, O Most High,

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 put my trust in Thee.

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

4 In God — I will praise His word — in God do I trust, I will not be afraid; 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 they trouble mine affairs; 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; according as they have waited for my soul.

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

7 Because of iniquity cast them out; in anger bring down the peoples, O God.

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

8 Thou has counted my wanderings; put Thou my tears into Thy bottle; are they not in Thy book?

You count my wanderings. You put my tears into your container. Are not they in your book?

9 Then shall mine enemies turn back in the day that I call; this I know, that 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 — I will praise His word — in the LORD — I will praise His word —

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

11 In God do I trust, I will not be afraid; 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 thank-offerings unto Thee.

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

13 For thou hast delivered my soul from death; hast Thou not delivered my feet from stumbling? 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.