Psalms 56

1 To the chief Musician upon Jonathelem-rechokim, Michtam of David, when the Philistines took him in Gath. Be merciful to me, O God: for man would swallow me up; he fighting daily oppresseth 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 My enemies would daily swallow [me] up: for [they are] many that fight against me, O thou Most High.

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

3 In the time when I am afraid, I will trust in thee.

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 to 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 wrest 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 assemble themselves, 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 [thy] 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 Thou numberest my wanderings: put thou my tears into thy bottle: [are they] not in thy book?

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

9 When I cry [to thee], then shall my 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 to me.

in God I trust; 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 upon me, O God; I will render thank offerings to You.

13 For thou hast delivered my soul from death: [wilt thou] not [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.