Psalms 56 — AAB

Be Merciful to Me, O God

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

56Verse 1Be merciful to me, O God,for men are hounding me;
all day they press their attack.^{Verse 2}My enemies pursue me all day long,for many proudly assail me.^{Verse 3}When I am afraid,I put my trust in You.^{Verse 4}In God, whose word I praise—in God I trust.I will not be afraid.What can man do to me?^{Verse 5}All day long they twist my words;all their thoughts are on my demise.^{Verse 6}They conspire, they lurk,they watch my steps
while they wait to take my life.^{Verse 7}In spite of such sin, will they escape?⁺In Your anger, O God, cast down the nations.^{Verse 8}You have taken account of my wanderings.⁺Put my tears in Your bottle—
are they not in Your book?^{Verse 9}Then my enemies will retreaton the day I cry for help.
By this I will know that God is on my side.^{Verse 10}In God, whose word I praise,in the LORD, whose word I praise,^{Verse 11}in God I trust; I will not be afraid.What can man do to me?^{Verse 12}Your vows are upon me, O God;I will render thank offerings to You.^{Verse 13}For You have delivered my soul from death,and my feet from stumbling,that I may walk before Godin the light of life.