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 him that excelleth. A Psalme of David on Michtam, concerning the dumme doue in a farre countrey, when the Philistims tooke him in Gath. Be mercifull vnto me, O God, for man would swallow me vp: he fighteth continually and vexeth me.

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

Mine enemies would dayly swallowe mee vp: for many fight against me, O thou most High.

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

When I was afrayd, I trusted in thee.

4 In God, I praise his word. In God, I put my trust. I will not be afraid. What can flesh do to me?

I will reioyce in God, because of his word, I trust in God, and will not feare what flesh can doe vnto me.

5 All day long they twist my words. All their thoughts are against me for evil.

Mine owne wordes grieue me dayly: all their thoughtes are against me to doe me hurt.

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

They gather together, and keepe them selues close: they marke my steps, because they waite for my soule.

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

They thinke they shall escape by iniquitie: O God, cast these people downe in thine anger.

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

Thou hast counted my wandrings: put my teares into thy bottel: are they not in thy register?

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

When I cry, then mine enemies shall turne backe: this I know, for God is with me.

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

I will reioyce in God because of his worde: in the Lord wil I reioyce because of his worde.

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

In God doe I trust: I will not be afrayd what man can doe vnto me.

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

Thy vowes are vpon me, O God: I will render prayses vnto 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 deliuered my soule from death, and also my feete from falling, that I may walke before God in the light of the liuing.