Psalm 56

A Call for God’s Protection

For the choir director: according to “A Silent Dove Far Away.” A Miktam of David. When the Philistines seized him in Gath. k

1   Be gracious to me, God, for a man is trampling me;

he fights and oppresses me all day long.

2   My adversaries trample me all day,

for many arrogantly fight against me. H,l

3   When I am afraid,

I will trust in you. m

4   In God, whose word I praise,

in God I trust; I will not be afraid.

What can mere mortals do to me? n

5   They twist my words all day long;

all their thoughts against me are evil. o

6   They stir up strife, I they lurk;

they watch my steps

while they wait to take my life. p

7   Will they escape in spite of such sin?

God, bring down the nations in wrath. q

8   You yourself have recorded my wanderings. J

Put my tears in your bottle.

Are they not in your book? r

9   Then my enemies will retreat on the day when I call. s

This I know: God is for me. t

10   In God, whose word I praise,

in the LORD, whose word I praise,

11   in God I trust; I will not be afraid.

What can mere humans do to me? u

12   I am obligated by vows K to you, God;

I will make my thank offerings to you. v

13   For you rescued me from death,

even my feet from stumbling,

to walk before God in the light of life. w