Psalm 56

O my God, show mercy to me;

men would take my life away.

Hostile forces press upon me;

they pursue me all the day.

Slanderers are close behind me;

they pursue me all day long.

In their arrogance they hound me;

they are numerous and strong.

When I am afraid, I’ll trust you.

I will praise your faithful word;

I will trust and not be fearful.

What can man do to me, Lord?

All day long they plot to harm me,

twisting everything I say.

They conspire, they lurk, they trail me,

keen to take my life away.

Let them not escape your anger;

bring the nations down, O Lord.

In your book write my entreaties;

in your scroll my tears record.

When I call on you to help me,

then my foes will turn aside;

This is how I will be certain

that my God is on my side.

In the LORD, whose word I honour,

in my God—I praise his word—

I will trust and not be fearful.

What can man do to me, Lord?

I have taken vows before you;

to my God I will be true.

Sacrifices of thanksgiving

I will gladly give to you.

For you kept my feet from stumbling,

and from death you set me free,

So that I may walk before you

and the light of life may see.