Psalms 56

1 [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.

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

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

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

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

4 In God, I praise his word. In God, I put my trust. I will not be afraid. What can flesh 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 All day long they twist my words. All their thoughts are against me for evil.

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

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

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

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

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

8 You number my wanderings. You put my tears into your bottle. Aren't they in your book?

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

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

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

10 In God, I will praise his word. In Jehovah, I will praise his word.

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

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

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

12 Your vows are on me, God. 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 delivered my soul from death, and prevented my feet from falling, that I may walk before God in the light of the living.

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.