56:1 Have mercy on me, O God, for men are attacking me!1
All day long hostile enemies2 are tormenting me.3
56:2 Those who anticipate my defeat4 attack me all day long.
Indeed,5 many are fighting against me, O Exalted One.6
I trust in you.
56:4 In God—I boast in his promise8—
in God I trust, I am not afraid.
What can mere men9 do to me?10
56:5 All day long they cause me trouble;11
they make a habit of plotting my demise.12
they watch my every step,15
as16 they prepare to take my life.17
56:7 Because they are bent on violence, do not let them escape!18
In your anger19 bring down the nations,20 O God!
56:8 You keep track of my misery.21
Put my tears in your leather container!22
Are they not recorded in your scroll?23
56:9 My enemies will turn back when I cry out to you for help;24
I know that God is on my side.25
56:10 In God—I boast in his promise26—
in the Lord—I boast in his promise27—
56:11 in God I trust, I am not afraid.
What can mere men28 do to me?29
56:12 I am obligated to fulfill the vows I made to you, O God;30
I will give you the thank-offerings you deserve,31
56:13 when you deliver32 my life from death.
You keep my feet from stumbling,33
so that I might serve34 God as I enjoy life.35
Psalm 5736
For the music director; according to the al-tashcheth style;37 a prayer38 of David, written when he fled from Saul into the cave.39