Psalms 56 ASV
Summary: Headed "when the Philistines seized him in Gath" (recalling David's dangerous flight to Achish in 1 Samuel 21), Psalm 56 is a lament of a man surrounded and slandered by enemies who "twist my words" and watch his steps (v. 5-6). Its refrain turns fear into resolve, "in God I trust; I shall not be afraid. What can flesh do to me?" (v. 4, 11), repeated with slight variation across the psalm's two halves. It closes noting that God keeps a record of the psalmist's tossings and collects his tears "in your bottle" (v. 8), before a vow of thanksgiving.
1For the Chief Musician; set to Jonath elem rehokim. A Psalm of David. Michtam; when the Philistines took him in Gath. Be merciful unto me, O God; for man would swallow me up: All the day long he fighting oppresseth me.
2Mine enemies would swallow me up all the day long; For they are many that fight proudly against me.
3What time I am afraid, I will put my trust in thee.
4In God (I will praise his word), In God have I put my trust, I will not be afraid; What can flesh do unto me?
5All the day long they wrest my words: All their thoughts are against me for evil.
6They gather themselves together, they hide themselves, They mark my steps, Even as they have waited for my soul.
7Shall they escape by iniquity? In anger cast down the peoples, O God.
8Thou numberest my wanderings: Put thou my tears into thy bottle; Are they not in thy book?
9Then shall mine enemies turn back in the day that I call: This I know, that God is for me.
10In God (I will praise his word), In Jehovah (I will praise his word),
11In God have I put my trust, I will not be afraid; What can man do unto me?
12Thy vows are upon me, O God: I will render thank-offerings unto thee.
13For thou hast delivered my soul from death: Hast thou not delivered my feet from falling, That I may walk before God In the light of the living?
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