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 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 My enemies would daily swallow [me] up: for [they are] many that fight against me, O thou Most High.

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

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

When I am afraid, I will 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, 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 assemble themselves, they hide themselves, they mark my steps, when they wait for my soul.

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

7 Shall they escape by iniquity; in [thy] anger cast down the people, O God.

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

8 Thou numberest my wanderings: put thou my tears into thy bottle: [are they] not 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], then shall my enemies turn back: this I know; for 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 In God will I praise [his] word: in the LORD will I praise [his] word.

In God, I will praise his word. In Yahweh, I will praise his word.

11 In God have I put my trust: I will not be afraid what man can 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 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 prevented my feet from falling, that I may walk before God in the light of the living.