Psalms 56

1 “For the leader of the music. To be sung to the tune of “The dumb dove among strangers.” A psalm of David, when the Philistines took him in Gath.” Have pity upon me, O God! for man panteth for my life; My adversary daily 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 Mine enemies daily pant for my life, And many are they who war proudly against me.

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

3 When I am in fear, I will put my trust in thee!

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

4 Through God shall I praise his word; In God do I put my trust; I will not fear; What can flesh do to 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 Every day they wrest my words; 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 watch my steps, Lying in wait for my life.

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

7 Shall they escape by their iniquity? In thine anger cast down the people, O God!

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

8 Count thou my wanderings; Put my tears into thy bottle! Are they not recorded in thy book?

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

9 When I cry to thee, my enemies shall turn back; 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 Through God shall I praise his word; I shall glory in the promise of Jehovah.

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

11 In God do I put my trust; I will not fear: What can man do to 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 praises to thee!

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

13 For thou hast delivered me from death, Yea, 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 prevented my feet from falling, that I may walk before God in the light of the living.