Psalms 56

For the Chief Musician. To the tune of “Silent Dove in Distant Lands.” A poem by David, when the Philistines seized him in Gath.

1 Be merciful unto me, O God: for man would swallow me up; he fighting daily oppresseth me.Be merciful to me, God, for man wants to swallow me up. All day long, he attacks and oppresses me. ✦

2 Mine enemies would daily swallow me up: for they be many that fight against me, O thou most High.My enemies want to swallow me up all day long, for they are many who fight proudly against me. ✦

3 What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee.When I am afraid, I will put my trust in you. ✦

4 In God I will praise his word, in God I have put my trust; I will not fear what flesh can do unto 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 Every day they wrest my words: all their thoughts are against me for evil.All day long they twist my words. All their thoughts are against me for evil. ✦

6 They gather themselves together, they hide themselves, they mark my steps, when they wait for my soul.They conspire and lurk, watching my steps. They are eager to take my life. ✦

7 Shall they escape by iniquity? in thine anger cast down the people, O God.Shall they escape by iniquity? In anger cast down the peoples, God. ✦

8 Thou tellest my wanderings: put thou my tears into thy bottle: are they not in thy book?You count my wanderings. You put my tears into your container. Aren’t they in your book? ✦

9 When I cry unto thee, then shall mine enemies turn back: this I know; for 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 will I praise his word: in the LORD will I praise his word.In God, I will praise his word. In Yahweh, I will praise his word. ✦

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

12 Thy vows are upon me, O God: I will render praises unto thee.Your vows are on me, God. I will give thank offerings to you. ✦

13 For thou hast delivered my soul from death: wilt not thou deliver my feet from falling, that I may 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. ✦