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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.
¹ Be gracious to me, O God, for people trample on me;
   all day long foes oppress me;
² my 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.
⁴ In God, whose word I praise,
   in God I trust; I am not afraid;
   what can flesh do to me?

⁵ All day long they seek to injure my cause;
   all their thoughts are against me for evil.
⁶ They 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!

⁸ You have kept count of my tossings;
   put my tears in your bottle.
   Are they not in your record?
⁹ Then my enemies will retreat
   on the day when I call.
   This I 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 am not afraid.
   What can a mere mortal do to me?

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

Psalm 57

Praise and Assurance under Persecution

To the leader: Do Not Destroy. Of David. A Miktam, when he fled from Saul, in the cave.
¹ Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me,
   for in you my soul takes refuge;
in the shadow of your wings I will take refuge,
   until the destroying storms pass by.
² I cry to God Most High,
   to God who fulfils his purpose for me.
³ He will send from heaven and save me,
   he will put to shame those who trample on me.
          Selah
God will send forth his steadfast love and his faithfulness.

⁴ I lie down among lions
   that greedily devour^* human prey;
their teeth are spears and arrows,
   their tongues sharp swords.

⁵ Be exalted, O God, above the heavens.
   Let your glory be over all the earth.

⁶ They set a net for my steps;
   my soul was bowed down.
They dug a pit in my path,
   but they have fallen into it themselves.
          Selah
⁷ My heart is steadfast, O God,
   my heart is steadfast.
I will sing and make melody.
⁸   Awake, my soul!
Awake, O harp and lyre!
   I will awake the dawn.
⁹ I will give thanks to you, O Lord, among the peoples;
   I will sing praises to you among the nations.
¹⁰ For your steadfast love is as high as the heavens;
   your faithfulness extends to the clouds.

¹¹ Be exalted, O God, above the heavens.
   Let your glory be over all the earth.