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)
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 fear.
What can man do to me?(K)

12 I am obligated by vows[e] to You, God;
I will make my thank offerings to You.(L)
13 For You delivered me from death,
even my feet from stumbling,
to walk before God in the light of life.(M)

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
  5. Psalm 56:12 Lit On me the vows

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