When I Am Afraid...

Psalm 56

New International Version (NIV)

Psalm 56^[a]

For the director of music. To the tune of “A Dove on Distant Oaks.” Of David. A miktam.^[b] When the Philistines had seized him in Gath.

¹ Be merciful to me, my God,
    for my enemies are in hot pursuit; 
    all day long they press their attack. 
² My adversaries pursue me all day long; 
    in their pride many are attacking me.

³ When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. 
⁴     In God, whose word I praise— 
in God I trust and am not afraid. 
    What can mere mortals do to me?

⁵ All day long they twist my words; 
    all their schemes are for my ruin.
⁶ They conspire, they lurk,
    they watch my steps, 
    hoping to take my life. 
⁷ Because of their wickedness do not^[c] let them escape; 
    in your anger, God, bring the nations down.

⁸ Record my misery;
    list my tears on your scroll^[d] —
    are they not in your record? 
⁹ Then my enemies will turn back 
    when I call for help. 
    By this I will know that God is for me.

¹⁰ In God, whose word I praise,
    in the Lord, whose word I praise—
¹¹ in God I trust and am not afraid.
    What can man do to me?

¹² I am under vows to you, my God;
    I will present my thank offerings to you.
¹³ For you have delivered me from death 
    and my feet from stumbling,
that I may walk before God
    in the light of life.

Footnotes:

1. Psalm 56:1 In Hebrew texts 56:1-13 is numbered 56:2-14.
2. Psalm 56:1 Title: Probably a literary or musical term
3. Psalm 56:7 Probable reading of the original Hebrew text; Masoretic Text does not have do not.
4. Psalm 56:8 Or misery; / put my tears in your wineskin