Psalms 56

1 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.

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

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

3 In the day of my terror I trust in you.

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

4 In God I maintain my cause, in God I fearlessly trust. What can flesh 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 They torture me all the day, they ceaselessly plan to hurt me,

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

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

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

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

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

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

You number my wanderings. You put my tears into your bottle. Aren't they in your book?

9 Then shall my foes be turned back in the day that I call. Of this I am sure, because 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 I maintain my cause, in the Lord I maintain my cause.

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

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

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

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

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

13 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.

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.