For the music director; according to the yonath-elem-rechovim style; 2 a prayer 3 of David, written when the Philistines captured him in Gath. 4
56:1 Have mercy on me, O God, for men are attacking me! 5
All day long hostile enemies 6 are tormenting me. 7
56:2 Those who anticipate my defeat 8 attack me all day long.
Indeed, 9 many are fighting against me, O Exalted One. 10
56:3 When 11 I am afraid,
I trust in you.
56:4 In God – I boast in his promise 12 –
in God I trust, I am not afraid.
What can mere men 13 do to me? 14
56:5 All day long they cause me trouble; 15
they make a habit of plotting my demise. 16
56:6 They stalk 17 and lurk; 18
they watch my every step, 19
as 20 they prepare to take my life. 21
56:7 Because they are bent on violence, do not let them escape! 22
In your anger 23 bring down the nations, 24 O God!
56:8 You keep track of my misery. 25
Put my tears in your leather container! 26
Are they not recorded in your scroll? 27
56:9 My enemies will turn back when I cry out to you for help; 28
I know that God is on my side. 29
56:10 In God – I boast in his promise 30 –
in the Lord – I boast in his promise 31 –
56:11 in God I trust, I am not afraid.
What can mere men 32 do to me? 33
56:12 I am obligated to fulfill the vows I made to you, O God; 34
I will give you the thank-offerings you deserve, 35
56:13 when you deliver 36 my life from death.
You keep my feet from stumbling, 37
so that I might serve 38 God as I enjoy life. 39