Psalm 56

Chapters

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Be Merciful to Me, O God

(1 Samuel 21:8–15)

For the choirmaster. To the tune of “A Dove on Distant Oaks.” A Miktam of David, when the Philistines seized him in Gath.[1]

1Be merciful to me, O God,

for men are hounding me;

all day they press their attack.

2My enemies pursue me all day long,

for many proudly assail me.

3When I am afraid,

I put my trust in You.

4In God, whose word I praise —

in God I trust.

I will not be afraid.

What can man do to me?

5All day long they twist my words;

all their thoughts are on my demise.

6They conspire, they lurk,

they watch my steps

while they wait to take my life.

7In spite of such sin, will they escape?[2]

In Your anger, O God, cast down the nations.

8You have taken account of my wanderings.[3]

Put my tears in Your bottle —

are they not in Your book?

9Then my enemies will retreat

on the day I cry for help.

By this I will know that God is on my side.

10In God, whose word I praise,

in the LORD, whose word I praise,

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

What can man do to me?

12Your vows are upon me, O God;

I will render thank offerings to You.

13For You have delivered my soul from death,

and my feet from stumbling,

that I may walk before God

in the light of life.

Footnotes (3)

[1] 56:1 Miktam is probably a musical or liturgical term; used for Psalms 16 and 56–60.

[2] 56:7 Or do not let them escape; MT does not include do not.

[3] 56:8 Or sorrows

The Holy Bible, Berean Standard Bible, BSB. Public domain.