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 music director. According to “Dove on Distant Oaks.” A psalm (miktam) of David concerning the time the Philistines captured him in Gath. God, please be gracious to me, for people are persecuting me; my attackers fight against me all day long.

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

My enemies chase me down all the time—there are many of them, attacking me in their arrogance.

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

But when I'm afraid, 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?

I thank God for his promises. I trust in God, so why should I be fearful? What can mere human beings do to me?

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

They constantly twist my words against me; they spend all their time thinking of evil things to do to me.

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

They gather together in their hiding places to keep watch on me, hoping to kill me.

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

Will they escape when they do so much evil? God, in anger bring these people down!

8 You count my wanderings. You put my tears into your container. Are not they in your book?

You've kept track of all my wanderings. You've collected all my tears in your bottle. You've kept a record of each one.

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

Then those who hate me will run away when I call for your help. For I know this: God is for me!

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

I thank God for his promises. I thank the Lord for his promises.

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

I trust in God, so why should I be fearful? What can mere human beings do to me?

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

God, I will keep my promises to you. I will give 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.

for you have saved me from death and kept me from falling. Now I walk in the presence of God, in the light that gives life.