Psalms 56

1 For the choirmaster. To the tune of “A Dove on Distant Oaks.” A Miktam of David, when the Philistines seized him in Gath. Be merciful to me, O God, for men are hounding me; all day they press their attack.

1 Be merciful to me, God, for man wants to swallow me up. All day long, he attacks and oppresses me.

2 My enemies pursue me all day long, for many proudly assail me.

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

3 When I am afraid, I put my trust in You.

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

4 In God, whose word I praise—in God I trust. I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?

4 In God, I praise his word. In God, I put my trust. I will not be afraid. What can flesh do to me?

5 All day long they twist my words; all their thoughts are on my demise.

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

6 They conspire, they lurk, they watch my steps while they wait to take my life.

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

7 In spite of such sin, will they escape? In Your anger, O God, cast down the nations.

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

8 You have taken account of my wanderings. Put my tears in Your bottle—are they not in Your book?

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

9 Then my enemies will retreat on the day I cry for help. By this I will know that God is on my side.

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

10 In God, whose word I praise, in the LORD, whose word I praise,

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

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

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

12 Your vows are upon me, O God; I will render thank offerings to You.

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

13 For You have delivered my soul from death, and my feet from stumbling, that I may walk before God in the light of life.

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.