Psalms

The second book of Psalms, song 56, New English Translation and King James Version

Psalm 56

New English Translation

For the music director; according to the yonath-elem-rechovim style; a prayer of David, written when the Philistines captured him in Gath.

   1 Have mercy on me, O God, for men are attacking me! All day long hostile enemies are tormenting me.
   2 Those who anticipate my defeat attack me all day long. Indeed, many are fighting against me, O Exalted One.
   3 When I am afraid, I trust in you.
   4 In God - I boast in his promise - in God I trust, I am not afraid. What can mere men do to me?
   5 All day long they cause me trouble; they make a habit of plotting my demise.
   6 They stalk and lurk; they watch my every step, as they prepare to take my life.
   7 Because they are bent on violence, do not let them escape! In your anger bring down the nations, O God!
   8 You keep track of my misery. Put my tears in your leather container! Are they not recorded in your scroll?
   9 My enemies will turn back when I cry out to you for help; I know that God is on my side.
   10 In God - I boast in his promise - in the LORD - I boast in his promise -
   11 in God I trust, I am not afraid. What can mere men do to me?
   12 I am obligated to fulfill the vows I made to you, O God; I will give you the thank-offerings you deserve,
   13 when you deliver my life from death. You keep my feet from stumbling, so that I might serve God as I enjoy life.

King James Version

To the chief Musician upon Jonath-elem-rechokim, Michtam of David, when the Philistines took him in Gath.

   1 Be merciful unto me, O God: for man would swallow me up; he fighting daily oppresseth me.
   2 Mine enemies would daily swallow me up: for they be many that fight against me, O thou most High.
   3 What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee.
   4 In God I will praise his word, in God I have put my trust; I will not fear what flesh can do unto me.
   5 Every day they wrest my words: all their thoughts are against me for evil.
   6 They gather themselves together, they hide themselves, they mark my steps, when they wait for my soul.
   7 Shall they escape by iniquity? in thine anger cast down the people, O God.
   8 Thou tellest my wanderings: put thou my tears into thy bottle: are they not in thy book?
   9 When I cry unto thee, then shall mine enemies turn back: this I know; for God is for me.
   10 In God will I praise his word: in the LORD will I praise his word.
   11 In God have I put my trust: I will not be afraid what man can do unto me.
   12 Thy vows are upon me, O God: I will render praises unto thee.
   13 For 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?