Psalms
Chapter 56
1
1 2 For the director. According to Yonath elem rehoqim. A miktam of David, when the Philistines seized him at Gath.
2
Have mercy on me, God, for I am treated harshly; attackers press me all the day.
3
My foes treat me harshly all the day; yes, many are my attackers. O Most High,
4
when I am afraid, in you I place my trust.
5
God, I praise your promise; in you I trust, I do not fear. What can mere flesh do to me?
6
All the day they foil my plans; their every thought is of evil against me.
7
They hide together in ambush; they watch my every step; they lie in wait for my life.
8
They are evil; watch them, God! Cast the nations down in your anger!
9
3 My wanderings you have noted; are my tears not stored in your vial, recorded in your book?
10
My foes turn back when I call on you. This I know: God is on my side.
11
God, I praise your promise;
12
in you I trust, I do not fear. What can mere mortals do to me?
13
I have made vows to you, God; with offerings I will fulfill them,
14
Once you have snatched me from death, kept my feet from stumbling, That I may walk before God in the light of the living.
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Footnotes

1 [Psalm 56] Beset physically (Psalm 56:2-3) and psychologically (Psalm 56:6-7), the psalmist maintains a firm confidence in God (Psalm 56:5, 9-10). Nothing will prevent the psalmist from keeping the vow to give thanks for God's gift of life (Psalm 56:13). A refrain (Psalm 56:5, 11-12) divides the psalm in two equal parts.

2 [1] Yonath elem rehoqim: Hebrew words probably designating the melody to which the psalm was to be sung.

3 [9] Are my tears not stored in your vial: a unique saying in the Old Testament. The context suggests that the tears are saved because they are precious; God puts a high value on each of the psalmist's troubles.


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