Psalm 56

Common English Bible

Psalm 56

For the music leader. According to “The Silent Dove of Distant Places.” A miktam^[a] of David, when the Philistines seized him in Gath.

56 God, have mercy on me because I’m being trampled.
    All day long the enemy oppresses me.
²My attackers trample me all day long
    because I have so many enemies.
Exalted one, ³whenever I’m afraid,
    I put my trust in you—
⁴        in God, whose word I praise.
        I trust in God; I won’t be afraid.
    What can mere flesh do to me?

⁵All day long they frustrate my pursuits;
    all their thoughts are evil against me.
⁶They get together and set an ambush—
    they are watching my steps,
    hoping for my death.
⁷Don’t rescue them for any reason!
    In wrath bring down the people, God!

⁸You yourself have kept track of my misery.
    Put my tears into your bottle—
    aren’t they on your scroll already?
⁹Then my enemies will retreat when I cry out.
    I know this because God is mine.
¹⁰    God: whose word I praise.
        The Lord: whose word I praise.
¹¹I trust in God; I won’t be afraid.
    What can anyone do to me?

¹²I will fulfill my promises to you, God.
    I will present thanksgiving offerings to you
¹³    because you have saved my life from death,
    saved my feet from stumbling
        so that I can walk before God in the light of life.

Footnotes

Psalm 56:1 Perhaps inscription

Psalm 57

Common English Bible

Psalm 57

For the music leader. Do not destroy. A miktam^[a] of David, when he fled from Saul into the cave.

57 Have mercy on me, God;
    have mercy on me
    because I^[b] have taken refuge in you.
    I take refuge
    in the shadow of your wings
        until destruction passes by.
²I call out to God Most High—
    to God, who comes through for me.
³He sends orders from heaven and saves me,
    rebukes the one who tramples me. Selah
        God sends his loyal love and faithfulness.

⁴My life is in the middle of a pack of lions.
    I lie down among those who devour humans.
        Their teeth are spears and arrows;
        their tongues are sharpened swords.
⁵Exalt yourself, God, higher than heaven!
    Let your glory be over all the earth!
⁶They laid a net for my feet to bring me down;
    they dug a pit for me,
    but they fell into it instead! Selah

⁷My heart is unwavering, God—
    my heart is unwavering.
I will sing and make music.
⁸    Wake up, my glory!
    Wake up, harp and lyre!
    I will wake the dawn itself!
⁹I will give thanks to you,
my Lord,
    among all the peoples;
I will make music to you among the nations
¹⁰    because your faithful love
        is as high as heaven;
    your faithfulness reaches the clouds.
¹¹Exalt yourself, God, higher than heaven!
    Let your glory be over all the earth!