Psalm 56 | King James Version

1 To the chief Musician upon Jonathelemrechokim, Michtam of David, when the Philistines took him in Gath. Be merciful unto me, O God: for man would swallow me up; he fighting daily oppresseth me. 2 Mine enemies would daily swallow me up: for they be many that fight against me, O thou most High. 3 What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee. 4 In God I will praise his word, in God I have put my trust; I will not fear what flesh can do unto me. 5 Every day they wrest my words: all their thoughts are against me for evil. 6 They gather themselves together, they hide themselves, they mark my steps, when they wait for my soul. 7 Shall they escape by iniquity? in thine anger cast down the people, O God. 8 Thou tellest my wanderings: put thou my tears into thy bottle: are they not in thy book? 9 When I cry unto thee , then shall mine enemies turn back: this I know; for God is for me. 10 In God will I praise his word: in the LORD will I praise his word. 11 In God have I put my trust: I will not be afraid what man can do unto me. 12 Thy vows are upon me, O God: I will render praises unto thee. 13 For thou hast delivered my soul from death: wilt not thou deliver my feet from falling, that I may walk before God in the light of the living?

New International Reader’s Version

For the director of music. A miktam of David after the Philistines had captured him in Gath. To the tune of ‘A Dove on Distant Oak Trees.’

1 Help me, God. Men are chasing me. All day long they keep attacking me. 2 My enemies chase me all day long. Many proud people are attacking me. 3 When I’m afraid, I put my trust in you. 4 I trust in God. I praise his word. I trust in God. I am not afraid. What can mere people do to me? 5 All day long they twist my words. They are always making plans to destroy me. 6 They get together and hide. They watch my steps. They hope to kill me. 7 Because they are so evil, make sure you don’t let them escape. God, bring down the nations in your anger. 8 Make a record of my sadness. List my tears in your book. Aren’t you making a record of them? 9 My enemies will turn back when I call out to you for help. Then I will know that God is on my side. 10 I trust in God. I praise his word. I trust in the LORD. I praise his word. 11 I trust in God. I am not afraid. What can mere people do to me? 12 God, I have made promises to you. I will bring my thank-offerings to you. 13 You have saved me from the darkness of death. You have kept me from tripping and falling. Now I can live with you in the light of life.

Psalm 56 | King James Version New International Reader’s Version

For the director of music. A miktam of David after the Philistines had captured him in Gath. To the tune of ‘A Dove on Distant Oak Trees.’