Psalm 56
Be Merciful to Me, O God
(1 Samuel 21:8–15)
For the choirmaster. To the tune of “A Dove on Distant Oaks.” A Miktam 1 of David, when the Philistines seized him in Gath.
¹ Be merciful to me, O God, for men are hounding me; all day they press their attack.
² My enemies pursue me all day long, for many proudly assail me.
³ When I am afraid, I put my trust in You.
⁴ In God, whose word I praise— in God I trust. I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?
⁵ All day long they twist my words; all their thoughts are on my demise.
⁶ They conspire, they lurk, they watch my steps while they wait to take my life.
⁷ In spite of such sin, will they escape?2 In Your anger, O God, cast down the nations.
⁸ You have taken account of my wanderings.3 Put my tears in Your bottle— are they not in Your book?
⁹ Then my enemies will retreat on the day I cry for help. By this I will know that God is on my side.
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 Your vows are upon me, O God; I will render thank offerings to You.
¹³ For You have delivered my soul from death, and my feet from stumbling, that I may walk before God in the light of life.