Add parallel Print Page Options

Psalm 56

For the choir director: A psalm[a] of David, regarding the time the Philistines seized him in Gath. To be sung to the tune “Dove on Distant Oaks.”

O God, have mercy on me,
    for people are hounding me.
    My foes attack me all day long.
I am constantly hounded by those who slander me,
    and many are boldly attacking me.
But when I am afraid,
    I will put my trust in you.
I praise God for what he has promised.
    I trust in God, so why should I be afraid?
    What can mere mortals do to me?

They are always twisting what I say;
    they spend their days plotting to harm me.
They come together to spy on me—
    watching my every step, eager to kill me.
Don’t let them get away with their wickedness;
    in your anger, O God, bring them down.

You keep track of all my sorrows.[b]
    You have collected all my tears in your bottle.
    You have recorded each one in your book.

My enemies will retreat when I call to you for help.
    This I know: God is on my side!
10 I praise God for what he has promised;
    yes, I praise the Lord for what he has promised.
11 I trust in God, so why should I be afraid?
    What can mere mortals do to me?

12 I will fulfill my vows to you, O God,
    and will offer a sacrifice of thanks for your help.
13 For you have rescued me from death;
    you have kept my feet from slipping.
So now I can walk in your presence, O God,
    in your life-giving light.

Footnotes

  1. 56:Title Hebrew miktam. This may be a literary or musical term.
  2. 56:8 Or my wanderings.

Prayer for Relief from Tormentors

To the Chief Musician. Set to [a]“The Silent Dove in Distant Lands.” A Michtam of David when the (A)Philistines captured him in Gath.

56 Be (B)merciful to me, O God, for man would swallow me up;
Fighting all day he oppresses me.
My enemies would (C)hound me all day,
For there are many who fight against me, O Most High.

Whenever I am afraid,
I will trust in You.
In God (I will praise His word),
In God I have put my trust;
(D)I will not fear.
What can flesh do to me?

All day they twist my words;
All their thoughts are against me for evil.
They gather together,
They hide, they mark my steps,
When they lie in wait for my life.
Shall they escape by iniquity?
In anger cast down the peoples, O God!

You number my wanderings;
Put my tears into Your bottle;
(E)Are they not in Your book?
When I cry out to You,
Then my enemies will turn back;
This I know, because (F)God is for me.
10 In God (I will praise His word),
In the Lord (I will praise His word),
11 In God I have put my trust;
I will not be afraid.
What can man do to me?

12 Vows made to You are binding upon me, O God;
I will render praises to You,
13 (G)For You have delivered my soul from death.
Have You not kept my feet from falling,
That I may walk before God
In the (H)light of the living?

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 56:1 Heb. Jonath Elem Rechokim

Supplication for Rescue and Grateful Trust in God.

To the Chief Musician; set to [the tune of] “Silent Dove Among Those Far Away.” A Mikhtam of David. [A record of memorable thoughts] when the Philistines seized him in Gath.

56 Be gracious to me, O God, for man has trampled on me;
All day long the adversary oppresses and torments me.

My enemies have trampled upon me all day long,
For they are many who fight proudly against me.

When I am afraid,
I will put my trust and faith in You.

In God, whose word I praise;
In God I have put my trust;
I shall not fear.
What can mere man do to me?

All day long they twist my words and say hurtful things;
All their thoughts are against me for evil.

They attack, they hide and lurk,
They watch my steps,
As they have [expectantly] waited to take my life.

Cast them out because of their wickedness.
In anger bring down the peoples, O God!


You have taken account of my wanderings;
Put my tears in Your bottle.
Are they not recorded in Your book?

Then my enemies will turn back in the day when I call;
This I know, that God is for me.(A)
10 
In God, whose word I praise,
In the Lord, whose word I praise,
11 
In God have I put my trust and confident reliance; I will not be afraid.
What can man do to me?
12 
Your vows are binding upon me, O God;
I will give thank offerings to You.
13 
For You have rescued my soul from death,
Yes, and my feet from stumbling,
So that I may walk before God
In the light of life.