Psalm 56

New International Reader's Version

For the director of music. A miktam of David after the Philistines had captured him in Gath. To the tune of “A Dove on Distant Oak Trees.”

56 Help me, God. Men are chasing me.
All day long they keep attacking me.
²My enemies chase me all day long.
Many proud people are attacking me.

³When I’m afraid,
    I put my trust in you.
⁴I trust in God. I praise his word.
    I trust in God. I am not afraid.
    What can mere people do to me?

⁵All day long they twist my words.
    They are always making plans to destroy me.
⁶They get together and hide.
    They watch my steps.
    They hope to kill me.

⁷Because they are so evil, make sure you don’t let them escape.
    God, bring down the nations in your anger.
⁸Make a record of my sadness.
    List my tears in your book.
    Aren’t you making a record of them?

⁹My enemies will turn back
    when I call out to you for help.
    Then I will know that God is on my side.
¹⁰I trust in God. I praise his word.
    I trust in the Lord. I praise his word.
¹¹I trust in God. I am not afraid.
    What can mere people do to me?

¹²God, I have made promises to you.
    I will bring my thank offerings to you.
¹³You have saved me from the darkness of death.
    You have kept me from tripping and falling.
Now I can live with you
    in the light of life.