Psalm 56

A Call for God’s Protection

For the choir director: according to “A Silent Dove Far Away.”[a] A Davidic Miktam. When the Philistines seized him in Gath.(A)

Be gracious to me, God, for man tramples me;
he fights and oppresses me all day long.
My adversaries trample me all day,
for many arrogantly fight against me.[b](B)

When I am afraid,
I will trust in You.(C)
In God, whose word I praise,
in God I trust; I will not fear.
What can man do to me?(D)

They twist my words all day long;
all their thoughts against me are evil.(E)
They stir up strife,[c] they lurk;
they watch my steps
while they wait to take my life.(F)
Will they escape in spite of such sin?
God, bring down the nations in wrath.(G)

You Yourself have recorded my wanderings.[d]
Put my tears in Your bottle.
Are they not in Your records?(H)

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Footnotes

  1. Psalm 56:1 Possibly a tune
  2. Psalm 56:2 Or many fight against me, O exalted One, or many fight against me from the heights
  3. Psalm 56:6 Or They attack
  4. Psalm 56:8 Or misery

Psalm 56[a]

For the director of music. To the tune of “A Dove on Distant Oaks.” Of David. A miktam.[b] When the Philistines had seized him in Gath.

Be merciful to me,(A) my God,
    for my enemies are in hot pursuit;(B)
    all day long they press their attack.(C)
My adversaries pursue me all day long;(D)
    in their pride many are attacking me.(E)

When I am afraid,(F) I put my trust in you.(G)
    In God, whose word I praise—(H)
in God I trust and am not afraid.(I)
    What can mere mortals do to me?(J)

All day long they twist my words;(K)
    all their schemes are for my ruin.
They conspire,(L) they lurk,
    they watch my steps,(M)
    hoping to take my life.(N)
Because of their wickedness do not[c] let them escape;(O)
    in your anger, God, bring the nations down.(P)

Record my misery;
    list my tears on your scroll[d](Q)
    are they not in your record?(R)

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Footnotes

  1. Psalm 56:1 In Hebrew texts 56:1-13 is numbered 56:2-14.
  2. Psalm 56:1 Title: Probably a literary or musical term
  3. Psalm 56:7 Probable reading of the original Hebrew text; Masoretic Text does not have do not.
  4. Psalm 56:8 Or misery; / put my tears in your wineskin