Psalm 56

A CALL FOR GOD’S PROTECTION

For the choir director: according to “A Silent Dove Far Away.” A Miktam of David. When the Philistines seized him in Gath.k

1 Be gracious to me, God, for a man is trampling me;

he fights and oppresses me all day long.

2 My adversaries trample me all day,

for many arrogantly fight against me.A,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 be afraid.

What can mere mortals 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,B they lurk,

they watch my steps

while they wait to take my life.p

7 Will they escape in spite of such sin?

God, bring down the nations in wrath.q

8 You yourself have recorded my wanderings.C

Put my tears in your bottle.

Are they not in your book?r

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

This I know: God is for me.t

10 In God, whose word I praise,

in the Lord, whose word I praise,

11 in God I trust; I will not be afraid.

What can mere humans do to me?u

12 I am obligated by vowsD to you, God;

I will make my thanksgiving sacrifices to you.v

13 For you rescued me from death,

even my feet from stumbling,

to walk before God in the light of life.w