Psalm 56

To the chief Musician upon Jonath-elem-rechokim, Michtam of David, when the Philistines took him in Gath.

1Be merciful unto me, O God: for man would swallow me up; he fighting daily oppresseth me.footnote a

2Mine enemies would daily swallow me up: for they be many that fight against me, O thou most High.footnote b

3What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee.

4In God I will praise his word, in God I have put my trust; I will not fear what flesh can do unto me.

5Every day they wrest my words: all their thoughts are against me for evil.

6They gather themselves together, they hide themselves, they mark my steps, when they wait for my soul.

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

8Thou tellest my wanderings: put thou my tears into thy bottle: are they not in thy book?

9When I cry unto thee, then shall mine enemies turn back: this I know; for God is for me.

10In God will I praise his word: in the LORD will I praise his word.

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

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

13For 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?

Be Merciful to Me, O God

For the choirmaster. To the tune of “A Dove on Distant Oaks.” A Miktam of David, when the Philistines seized him in Gath.

1Be merciful to me, O God,for men are hounding me;all day they press their attack. 2My enemies pursue me all day long,for many proudly assail me.

3When I am afraid,I put my trust in You. 4In God, whose word I praise—in God I trust.I will not be afraid.What can man do to me?

5All day long they twist my words;all their thoughts are on my demise. 6They conspire, they lurk,they watch my stepswhile they wait to take my life. 7In spite of such sin, will they escape?footnote aIn Your anger, O God, cast down the nations.

8You have taken account of my wanderings.footnote bPut my tears in Your bottle—are they not in Your book? 9Then my enemies will retreaton the day I cry for help.By this I will know that God is on my side.

10In God, whose word I praise,in the LORD, whose word I praise, 11in God I trust; I will not be afraid.What can man do to me?

12Your vows are upon me, O God;I will render thank offerings to You. 13For You have delivered my soul from death,and my feet from stumbling,that I may walk before Godin the light of life.