Psalm 56

Psalm 55 Psalm 57

Psalm 56 New International Version (NIV)

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.

¹Be merciful to me, my God,
    for my enemies are in hot pursuit;
    all day long they press their attack.
²My adversaries pursue me all day long;
    in their pride many are attacking me.

³When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.
⁴ In God, whose word I praise—
in God I trust and am not afraid.
What can mere mortals do to me?

⁵All day long they twist my words;
    all their schemes are for my ruin.
⁶They conspire, they lurk,
    they watch my steps,
    hoping to take my life.
⁷Because of their wickedness do not^[c] let them escape;
    in your anger, God, bring the nations down.

⁸Record my misery;
    list my tears on your scroll^[d]—
    are they not in your record?
⁹Then my enemies will turn back
    when I call for help.
    By this I will know that God is for me.

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

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

Footnotes:

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