Psalm 56 (BSB)
Be Merciful to Me, O God
1For the choirmaster. To the tune of “A Dove on Distant Oaks.” A Miktam56:1 Miktam is probably a musical or liturgical term; used for Psalms 16 and 56–60. of David, when the Philistines seized him in Gath.
Be merciful to me, O God,
for men are hounding me;
all day they press their attack.
2My enemies pursue me all day long,
for many proudly assail me.
3When I am afraid,
I put my trust in You.
4In God, whose word I praise —
in God I trust.
I will not be afraid.
What can man do to me?
5All day long they twist my words;
all their thoughts are on my demise.
6They conspire, they lurk,
they watch my steps
while they wait to take my life.
7In spite of such sin, will they escape?56:7 Or do not let them escape; MT does not include do not.
In Your anger, O God, cast down the nations.
8You have taken account of my wanderings.56:8 Or sorrows
Put my tears in Your bottle —
are they not in Your book?
9Then my enemies will retreat
on the day I cry for help.
By this I will know that God is on my side.
10In God, whose word I praise,
in the Lord, whose word I praise,
11in God I trust; I will not be afraid.
What can man do to me?
12Your vows are upon me, O God;
I will render thank offerings to You.
13For You have delivered my soul from death,
and my feet from stumbling,
that I may walk before God
in the light of life.
Understand Psalm 56
Walk through Psalm 56 verse by verse, then read what three commentaries say about the chapter. The explanations are written for new readers.
Read the Psalm 56 commentary