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; upon Jonath-elem-rehokim. A Psalm of David; Michtam; when the Philistines took him in Gath. Be gracious unto me, O God, for man would swallow me up; all the day he fighting oppresseth me.

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

They that lie in wait for me would swallow me up all the day; for they are many that fight against me, O Most High,

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

In the day that I am afraid, I will put my trust 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?

In God — I will praise His word — in God do I trust, I will not be afraid; what can flesh do unto me?

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

All the day they trouble mine affairs; all their thoughts are against me for evil.

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

They gather themselves together, they hide themselves, they mark my steps; according as they have waited for my soul.

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

Because of iniquity cast them out; in anger bring down the peoples, O God.

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

Thou has counted my wanderings; put Thou my tears into Thy bottle; are they not in Thy book?

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

Then shall mine enemies turn back in the day that I call; this I know, that God is for me.

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

In God — I will praise His word — in the LORD — I will praise His word —

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

In God do I trust, I will not be afraid; what can man do unto me?

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

Thy vows are upon me, O God; I will render thank-offerings unto 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 delivered my soul from death; hast Thou not delivered my feet from stumbling? that I may walk before God in the light of the living.