Psalms 56

1 To the chief Musician. On Jonathelem-rechokim. 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 long fighting he oppresseth 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 Mine enemies would swallow [me] up all the day long; for they are many that fight against me haughtily.

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

3 In the day that I am afraid, I will confide in thee.

But when I'm afraid, I trust in you.

4 In God will I praise his word, in God I put my confidence: I will not fear; what can flesh do unto 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 the day long they wrest 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 gather themselves together, they hide themselves; they mark my steps, because they wait for my soul.

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, O God.

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

8 Thou countest my wanderings; put my tears into thy bottle: are they not in thy 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 shall mine enemies return backward in the day when I call: this I know, for 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 will I praise [his] word; in Jehovah will I praise [his] word.

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

11 In God have I put my confidence: I will not fear; what can man do unto me?

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

12 Thy vows are upon me, O God: I will render thanks unto thee.

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

13 For thou hast delivered my soul from death; [wilt thou] not [keep] 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.