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56
For the music director. According to “Dove on Distant Oaks.” A psalm (miktam) of David concerning the time the Philistines captured him in Gath.
1 God, please be gracious to me, for people are persecuting me; my attackers fight against me all day long.
2 My enemies chase me down all the time—there are many of them, attacking me in their arrogance.* The word used here means “height” and it is thought this refers to superiority or arrogance.
3 But when I'm afraid, I trust in you.
4 I thank God for his promises. I trust in God, so why should I be fearful? What can mere human beings† Literally, “flesh.” do to me?
5 They constantly twist my words against me; they spend all their time thinking of evil things to do to me.
6 They gather together in their hiding places to keep watch on me, hoping to kill me.
7 Will they escape when they do so much evil? God, in anger bring these people down!
8 You've kept track of all my wanderings. You've collected all my tears in your bottle.‡ To record the extent of the psalmist's sorrow. You've kept a record of each one.
9 Then those who hate me will run away when I call for your help. For I know this: God is for me!
10 I thank God for his promises. I thank the Lord for his promises.
11 I trust in God, so why should I be fearful? What can mere human beings do to me?
12 God, I will keep my promises to you. I will give thank offerings to you,
13 for you have saved me from death and kept me from falling. Now I walk in the presence of God, in the light that gives life.

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*56:2 The word used here means “height” and it is thought this refers to superiority or arrogance.

†56:4 Literally, “flesh.”

‡56:8 To record the extent of the psalmist's sorrow.

© 2018 Dr. Jonathan Gallagher