PSALMS
CHAPTER 56

For the director of music. To the tune of "A Dove on Distant Oaks." Of David. A miktam . When the Philistines had seized him in Gath. <sup>[1]

1</sup> Be merciful to me, O God, for men hotly pursue me;
all day long they press their attack.
² My slanderers pursue me all day long;
many are attacking me in their pride.

³ When I am afraid,
I will trust in you.
⁴ In God, whose word I praise,
in God I trust; I will not be afraid.
What can mortal man do to me?

⁵ All day long they twist my words;
they are always plotting to harm me.
⁶ They conspire, they lurk,
they watch my steps,
eager to take my life.

⁷ On no account let them escape;
in your anger, O God, bring down the nations.
⁸ Record my lament;
list my tears on your scroll ^[2] -
are they not in your record?

⁹ Then my enemies will turn back
when I call for help.
By this I will know that God is for me.
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 man do to me?

¹² I am under vows to you, O God;
I will present my thank offerings to you.
¹³ For you have delivered me ^[3] from death
and my feet from stumbling,
that I may walk before God
in the light of life. ^[4]

Footnotes

1. Title: Probably a literary or musical term
2. 56:8 Or / put my tears in your wineskin
3. 56:13 Or my soul
4. 56:13 Or the land of the living

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Bible text from Gospelcom.net.  Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society.

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