For the choir director: according to "A Silent Dove Far Away." A Miktam of David. When the Philistines seized him in Gath. # 56:title 1Sm 21:10–11; 22:1

1 Be gracious to me, God, for a man is trampling me;

he fights and oppresses me all day long.

2 My adversaries trample me all day,

for many arrogantly fight against me.  * 56:2 Or many fight against me, O exalted one, or many fight against me from the heights,* 56:1–2 Ps 35:1; 57:3

3 When I am afraid,

I will trust in you.  * 56:3 Ps 112:7; Pr 29:25; Is 12:2

4 In God, whose word I praise,

in God I trust; I will not be afraid.

What can mere mortals do to me?  * 56:4 Ps 27:1; 118:6; Mt 10:28; Heb 13:6

5 They twist my words all day long;

all their thoughts against me are evil.  * 56:5 Ps 41:7; 2Pt 3:16

6 They stir up strife,  * 56:6 Or They attack they lurk,

they watch my steps

while they wait to take my life.  * 56:6 Ps 10:8–10; 59:3

7 Will they escape in spite of such sin?

God, bring down the nations in wrath.  * 56:7 Ezk 17:15; Rm 2:3

8 You yourself have recorded my wanderings.  * 56:8 Or misery

Put my tears in your bottle.

Are they not in your book?  * 56:8 2Kg 20:5; Ps 139:3; Mal 3:16

9 Then my enemies will retreat on the day when I call.  * 56:9 Ps 9:3

This I know: God is for me.  * 56:9 Ps 118:6; Rm 8:31

10 In God, whose word I praise,

in the Lord, whose word I praise,

11 in God I trust; I will not be afraid.

What can mere humans do to me?  * 56:10–11 Ps 112:7; Pr 29:25; Is 12:2

12 I am obligated by vows  * 56:12 Lit On me the vows to you, God;

I will make my thanksgiving sacrifices to you.  * 56:12 Ps 50:14

13 For you rescued me from death,

even my feet from stumbling,

to walk before God in the light of life.  * 56:13 Jb 33:30; Ps 116:8–9