Psalms 56

1 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:

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

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

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

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

4 In God, I will praise his cause, —In God, have I trusted, I will not fear, What can flesh do unto 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 All the day, they wrest, my words, Against me, all their devices are for mischief;

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

12 Upon me, O God, are thy vows, I will pay back praises unto thee.

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

13 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.

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.