A Call for God’s Protection
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