To the chief Musician upon Jonath-elem-rechokim, Michtam of David, when the Philistines took him in Gath.
1Be merciful unto me, O God: for man would swallow me up; he fighting daily oppresseth me.56.1 Michtam…: or, A golden Psalm of David
2Mine enemies would daily swallow me up: for they be many that fight against me, O thou most High.56.2 enemies: Heb. observers
3What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee.
4In God I will praise his word, in God I have put my trust; I will not fear what flesh can do unto me.
5Every day they wrest my words: all their thoughts are against me for evil.
6They gather themselves together, they hide themselves, they mark my steps, when they wait for my soul.
7Shall they escape by iniquity? in thine anger cast down the people, O God.
8Thou tellest my wanderings: put thou my tears into thy bottle: are they not in thy book?
9When I cry unto thee, then shall mine enemies turn back: this I know; for God is for me.
10In God will I praise his word: in the LORD will I praise his word.
11In God have I put my trust: I will not be afraid what man can do unto me.
12Thy vows are upon me, O God: I will render praises unto thee.
13For thou hast delivered my soul from death: wilt not thou deliver my feet from falling, that I may walk before God in the light of the living?
Psalm 56In Hebrew texts 56:1-13 is numbered 56:2-14.
For the director of music. To the tune of ‘A Dove on Distant Oaks’. Of David. A miktam.Title: Probably a literary or musical term When the Philistines had seized him in Gath.
1Be merciful to me, my God,
for my enemies are in hot pursuit;
all day long they press their attack.
2My adversaries pursue me all day long;
in their pride many are attacking me.
3When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.
4In God, whose word I praise –
in God I trust and am not afraid.
What can mere mortals do to me?
5All day long they twist my words;
all their schemes are for my ruin.
6They conspire, they lurk,
they watch my steps,
hoping to take my life.
7Because of their wickedness do not56:7 Probable reading of the original Hebrew text; Masoretic Text does not have do not. let them escape;
in your anger, God, bring the nations down.
8Record my misery;
list my tears on your scroll56:8 Or misery; / put my tears in your wineskin –
are they not in your record?
9Then my enemies will turn back
when I call for help.
By this I will know that God is for me.
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 to you, my God;
I will present my thank-offerings to you.
13For you have delivered me from death
and my feet from stumbling,
that I may walk before God
in the light of life.
