Psalm 56

A Call for God’s Protection

For the choir director: according to “A Silent Dove Far Away.” i A Davidic * Miktam. When the Philistines seized him in Gath. j

1 Be gracious to me, God, for man tramples me;

he fights and oppresses me all day long.

2 My adversaries trample me all day,

for many arrogantly fight against me. k l

3 When I am afraid,

I will trust in You. m

4 In God, whose word I praise,

in God I trust; I will not fear.

What can man do to me? n

5 They twist my words all day long;

all their thoughts against me are evil. o

6 They stir up strife, p they lurk;

they watch my steps

while they wait to take my life. q

7 Will they escape in spite of such sin?

God, bring down the nations in wrath. r

8 You Yourself have recorded my wanderings. s

Put my tears in Your bottle.

Are they not in Your records? t

9 Then my enemies will retreat on the day when I call. u

This I know: God is for me. v

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? w

12 I am obligated by vows x to You, God;

I will make my thank offerings to You. y

13 For You delivered me from death,

even my feet from stumbling,

to walk before God in the light of life. z