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.

For the leader. On jonath elem rehokim. Of David. A michtam, when the Philistines seized him in Gath. O God, be gracious to me, for people trample upon me, all the day righting and pressing me.

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

All the day enemies trample me; many there be who contend with me bitterly.

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

In the day of my terror I trust in you.

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

In God I maintain my cause, in God I fearlessly trust. What can flesh do to me?

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

They torture me all the day, they ceaselessly plan to hurt me,

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

banded together in secret, watching my every step, as those who hope for my death.

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

Pay them out for their sin, O God, hurl down the strong in your anger.

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

You yourself count my wanderings. Put in your bottle my tears are they not in your book?

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

Then shall my foes be turned back in the day that I call. Of this I am sure, because God is for me.

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

In God I maintain my cause, in the Lord I maintain my cause.

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

In God I fearlessly trust, what can people do to me?

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

Your vows are upon me, O God, I will render thank-offerings to you;

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.

because you have saved me from death, my feet from stumbling, to the end that I walk before God in the light of the living.