Psalm 56

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.”

¹Help 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.