Psalms 56

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

For the choirmaster. To the tune of “A Dove on Distant Oaks.” A Miktam of David, when the Philistines seized him in Gath. Be merciful to me, O God, for men are hounding me; all day they press their attack.

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

My enemies pursue me all day long, for many proudly assail me.

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

When I am afraid, I put my 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 unto me.

In God, whose word I praise— in God I trust. I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?

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

All day long they twist my words; all their thoughts are on my demise.

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

They conspire, they lurk, they watch my steps while they wait to take my life.

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

In spite of such sin, will they escape? In Your anger, O God, cast down the nations.

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

You have taken account of my wanderings. Put my tears in Your bottle— are they not in Your book?

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

Then my enemies will retreat on the day I cry for help. By this I will know that God is on my side.

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

In God, whose word I praise, in the LORD, whose word I praise,

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

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

12 Your vows are upon me, O God: I will render praises unto you.

Your vows are upon me, O God; I will render 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 delivered my soul from death, and my feet from stumbling, that I may walk before God in the light of life.