> [[psalm-55|← Previous]] | [[psalm-00|TOC]] | [[psalm-57|Next →]] --- # Psalm 56 ## Trust in God 1 For the director. According to *Yonath elem rehoqim*. A *miktam* of David, when the Philistines seized him at Gath. ^psalm-56-1 ### I 2 Have mercy on me, God, ^psalm-56-2 for I am treated harshly; attackers press me all the day. 3 My foes treat me harshly all the day; ^psalm-56-3 yes, many are my attackers. O Most High, 4 when I am afraid, ^psalm-56-4 in you I place my trust. 5 I praise the word of God; ^psalm-56-5 I trust in God, I do not fear. What can mere flesh do to me? ### II 6 All the day they foil my plans; ^psalm-56-6 their every thought is of evil against me. 7 They hide together in ambush; ^psalm-56-7 they watch my every step; they lie in wait for my life. 8 They are evil; watch them, God! ^psalm-56-8 Cast the nations down in your anger! 9 My wanderings you have noted; ^psalm-56-9 are my tears not stored in your flask, recorded in your book? 10 My foes turn back when I call on you. ^psalm-56-10 This I know: God is on my side. 11 I praise the word of God, ^psalm-56-11 I praise the word of the LORD. 12 In God I trust, I do not fear. ^psalm-56-12 What can man do to me? ### III 13 I have made vows to you, God; ^psalm-56-13 with offerings I will fulfill them, 14 For you have snatched me from death, ^psalm-56-14 kept my feet from stumbling, That I may walk before God in the light of the living. \* (Psalm 56) Beset physically ([Ps 56:2] – [3]) and psychologically ([Ps 56:6] – [7]), the psalmist maintains a firm confidence in God ([Ps 56:5], [9] – [10]). Nothing will prevent the psalmist from keeping the vow to give thanks for God’s gift of life ([Ps 56:13]). A refrain ([Ps 56:5], [11] – [12]) divides the Psalm in two equal parts. \* (56:1) Yonath elem rehoqim: Hebrew words probably designating the melody to which the Psalm was to be sung. \* (56:9) Are my tears not stored in your flask: 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. a. (56:1) [1 Sm 21:10]. b. (56:5) [Ps 130:5]. c. (56:5) [Ps 118:6]; [Heb 13:6]. d. (56:7) [Ps 140:5] – [6]. e. (56:9) ([[psalm-10|Ps 10]]:14]; [[2-kings-20|2 Kgs 20]]:5; [Is 25:8]; ([[revelation-07|Rv 7]]:17]. f. (56:13) [Nm 30:3]. --- _New American Bible, revised edition_ (2010, 1991, 1986, 1970) Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Washington, D.C. > [[psalm-55|← Previous]] | [[psalm-00|TOC]] | [[psalm-57|Next →]]