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.(A)

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

When I am afraid,
I will trust in you.(C)
In God, whose word I praise,
in God I trust; I will not be afraid.
What can mere mortals do to me?(D)

They twist my words all day long;
all their thoughts against me are evil.(E)
They stir up strife,[b] 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.[c]
Put my tears in your bottle.
Are they not in your book?(H)
Then my enemies will retreat on the day when I call.(I)
This I know: God is for me.(J)

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?(K)

12 I am obligated by vows[d] to you, God;
I will make my thanksgiving sacrifices to you.(L)
13 For you rescued me from death,
even my feet from stumbling,
to walk before God in the light of life.(M)

Footnotes

  1. 56:2 Or many fight against me, O exalted one, or many fight against me from the heights
  2. 56:6 Or They attack
  3. 56:8 Or misery
  4. 56:12 Lit On me the vows

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)
Then my enemies will turn back(S)
    when I call for help.(T)
    By this I will know that God is for me.(U)

10 In God, whose word I praise,
    in the Lord, whose word I praise—
11 in God I trust and am not afraid.
    What can man do to me?

12 I am under vows(V) to you, my God;
    I will present my thank offerings to you.
13 For you have delivered me from death(W)
    and my feet from stumbling,
that I may walk before God
    in the light of life.(X)

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

A Generous and Growing Church

42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching,(A) to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread, and to prayer.(B)

43 Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and signs were being performed through the apostles.(C) 44 Now all the believers were together and held all things in common.(D) 45 They sold their possessions and property and distributed the proceeds to all, as any had need. 46 Every day they devoted themselves to meeting together in the temple, and broke bread from house to house. They ate their food with joyful and sincere hearts,(E) 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. Every day the Lord added to their number[a] those who were being saved.(F)

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. 2:47 Other mss read to the church

The Fellowship of the Believers

42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching(A) and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread(B) and to prayer.(C) 43 Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles.(D) 44 All the believers were together and had everything in common.(E) 45 They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need.(F) 46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts.(G) They broke bread(H) in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people.(I) And the Lord added to their number(J) daily those who were being saved.

Read full chapter

My son, obey my words,
and treasure my commands.(A)
Keep my commands and live,(B)
and guard my instructions
as you would the pupil of your eye.(C)
Tie them to your fingers;
write them on the tablet of your heart.(D)
Say to wisdom, “You are my sister,”(E)
and call understanding your relative.
She will keep you from a forbidden woman,
a wayward woman with her flattering talk.(F)

Read full chapter

Warning Against the Adulterous Woman

My son,(A) keep my words
    and store up my commands within you.
Keep my commands and you will live;(B)
    guard my teachings as the apple of your eye.
Bind them on your fingers;
    write them on the tablet of your heart.(C)
Say to wisdom, “You are my sister,”
    and to insight, “You are my relative.”
They will keep you from the adulterous woman,
    from the wayward woman with her seductive words.(D)

Read full chapter