Psalm 56

This is for the music leader, and he should use special music.

David wrote this prayer when the Philistines took hold of him in Gath.

Trust in God and do not be afraid

1 God, please be kind to me, and help me,

because people are fighting me.

My enemies are attacking me every day.

2 They chase me all the time!

Those proud people want to catch me,

and there are many of them!

3 But when I am afraid,

I will trust in you.

4 By God's help, I will praise his word.

By God's help, I will trust in him.

I will not be afraid.

People can do nothing to hurt me!

5 All the time, they bring trouble on me.

They are always thinking of ways to hurt me.

6 They hide and they watch me.

They watch me wherever I go,

and they hope to kill me.

7 God, they want to do wicked things,

so punish them!

Destroy these people,

because you are angry with them.

8 Every time that I am upset,

you know about it.

Put all my tears in your bottle!

Yes, write down every tear in your book.

9 When I call to you for help,

my enemies will turn back.

I know that God is with me.

He will fight for me.

10 By God's help, I will praise his promise.

Yes, by the Lord's help,

I will praise his word.

11 I am not afraid,

because I trust in God.

People can do nothing to hurt me.

12 I have made special promises to you, God,

and I will do what I have promised.

I will offer to you a sacrifice to say ‘thank you’.

13 You have saved my life from death.

You keep me safe so that I do not fall.

As a result, I will serve you, God,

as you give me light to live here on earth.