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 end, concerning the people that were removed from the sanctuary, by David for a memorial, when the Philistines caught him in Geth. Have mercy upon me, O God; for man has trodden me down; all the day long he warring has afflicted me.

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

Mine enemies have trodden me down all the day from the dawning of the day; for there are many warring against me.

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

They shall be afraid, but I will 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 my words; all the day have I hoped in God; I will not fear what flesh shall do to me.

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

All the day long they have abominated my words; all their devices [are] against me for evil.

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

They will dwell near and hide [themselves]; they will watch my steps, accordingly as I have waited patiently in my soul.

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

Thou wilt on no account save them; thou wilt bring down the people in wrath.

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

O God, I have declared my life to thee; thou has set my tears before thee, even according to thy promise.

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

Mine enemies shall be turned back, in the day wherein I shall call upon thee; behold, I know that thou art my God.

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

In God, will I praise [his] word; in the Lord will I praise [his] saying.

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

I have hoped in God; I will not be afraid of what man shall do to me.

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

The vows of thy praise, O God, which I will pay, are upon me.

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, and my feet from sliding, that I should be well-pleasing before God in the land of the living.