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.†

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

he fights and oppresses me all day long.

2My adversaries trample me all day,

for many arrogantly fight against me.a a

3When I am afraid,

I will trust in you.a

4In God, whose word I praise,

in God I trust; I will not be afraid.

What can mere mortals do to me?a

5They twist my words all day long;

all their thoughts against me are evil.a

6They stir up strife,A they lurk,

they watch my steps

while they wait to take my life.a

7Will they escape in spite of such sin?

God, bring down the nations in wrath.a

8You yourself have recorded my wanderings.A

Put my tears in your bottle.

Are they not in your book?a

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

This I know: God is for me.b

10In God, whose word I praise,

in the Lord, whose word I praise,

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

What can mere humans do to me?a

12I am obligated by vowsA to you, God;

I will make my thanksgiving sacrifices to you.a

13For you rescued me from death,

even my feet from stumbling,

to walk before God in the light of life.a