Psalm 56–57

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,^k my God,

for my enemies are in hot pursuit;^l

all day long they press their attack.^m

²My adversaries pursue me all day long;ⁿ

in their pride many are attacking me.^o

³When I am afraid,^p I put my trust in you.^q

⁴In God, whose word I praise—^r

in God I trust and am not afraid.^s

What can mere mortals do to me?^t

⁵All day long they twist my words;^u

all their schemes are for my ruin.

⁶They conspire,^v they lurk,

they watch my steps,^w

hoping to take my life.^x

⁷Because of their wickedness do not^c let them escape;^y

in your anger, God, bring the nations down.^z

⁸Record my misery;

list my tears on your scroll^da—

are they not in your record?^b

⁹Then my enemies will turn back^c

when I call for help.^d

By this I will know that God is for me.^e

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^f to you, my God;

I will present my thank offerings to you.

¹³For you have delivered me from death^g

and my feet from stumbling,

that I may walk before God

in the light of life.^h

Psalm 57^a

57:7–11pp—Ps 108:1–5

For the director of music. To the tune of “Do Not Destroy.” Of David. A miktam.^b When he had fled from Saul into the cave.ⁱ

¹Have mercy on me, my God, have mercy on me,

for in you I take refuge.^j

I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings^k

until the disaster has passed.^l

²I cry out to God Most High,

to God, who vindicates me.^m

³He sends from heaven and saves me,ⁿ

rebuking those who hotly pursue me—^co

God sends forth his love and his faithfulness.^p

⁴I am in the midst of lions;^q

I am forced to dwell among ravenous beasts—

men whose teeth are spears and arrows,

whose tongues are sharp swords.^r

⁵Be exalted, O God, above the heavens;

let your glory be over all the earth.^s

⁶They spread a net for my feet^t—

I was bowed down^u in distress.

They dug a pit^v in my path—

but they have fallen into it themselves.^w

⁷My heart, O God, is steadfast,

my heart is steadfast;^x

I will sing and make music.

⁸Awake, my soul!

Awake, harp and lyre!^y

I will awaken the dawn.

⁹I will praise you, Lord, among the nations;

I will sing of you among the peoples.

¹⁰For great is your love, reaching to the heavens;

your faithfulness reaches to the skies.^z

¹¹Be exalted, O God, above the heavens;^a

let your glory be over all the earth.^b