Psalm 56

Trust in God under Persecution

To the leader: according to The Dove on Far-off Terebinths. Of David. A Miktam, when the Philistines seized him in Gath.
¹Be gracious to me, O God, for people trample on me;
   all day long foes oppress me;
²my enemies trample on me all day long,
   for many fight against me.
O Most High, ³when I am afraid,
   I put my trust in you.
⁴In God, whose word I praise,
   in God I trust; I am not afraid;
   what can flesh do to me?

⁵All day long they seek to injure my cause;
   all their thoughts are against me for evil.
⁶They stir up strife, they lurk,
   they watch my steps.
As they hoped to have my life,
⁷   so repay^* them for their crime;
   in wrath cast down the peoples, O God!

⁸You have kept count of my tossings;
   put my tears in your bottle.
   Are they not in your record?
⁹Then my enemies will retreat
   on the day when I call.
   This I know, that^* God is for me.
¹⁰In God, whose word I praise,
   in the Lord, whose word I praise,
¹¹in God I trust; I am not afraid.
   What can a mere mortal do to me?

¹²My vows to you I must perform, O God;
   I will render thank-offerings to you.
¹³For you have delivered my soul from death,
   and my feet from falling,
so that I may walk before God
   in the light of life.