Psalms 56

1 Be merciful to me, O God: for man would swallow me up; he fighting daily oppresses me.

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.

2 My enemies would daily swallow me up: for they be many that fight against me, O you most High.

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

3 What time I am afraid, I will trust in you.

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

4 In God I will praise his word, in God I have put my trust; I will not fear what flesh can do to me.

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

5 Every day they wrest my words: all their thoughts are against me for evil.

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

6 They gather themselves together, they hide themselves, they mark my steps, when they wait for my soul.

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

7 Shall they escape by iniquity? in your anger cast down the people, O God.

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

8 You tell my wanderings: put you my tears into your bottle: are they not in your book?

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.

9 When I cry to you, then shall my enemies turn back: this I know; for God is for me.

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

10 In God will I praise his word: in the LORD will I praise his word.

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

11 In God have I put my trust: I will not be afraid what man can do to me.

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

12 Your vows are on me, O God: I will render praises to you.

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

13 For you have delivered my soul from death: will not you deliver my feet from falling, that I may walk before God in the light of the living?

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.