Psalms 56-59
New American Standard Bible
Chapter 56
1Be gracious to me, God, for a man has trampled upon me; Fighting all day long he oppresses me. 2My enemies have trampled upon me all day long, For they are many who fight proudly against me. 3 When I am afraid, I will put my trust in You. 4In God, whose word I praise, In God I have put my trust; I shall not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me? 5All day long they distort my words; All their thoughts are against me for evil. 6They attack, they lurk, They watch my steps, As they have waited to take my life. 7Because of their wickedness, will there be an escape for them? In anger make the peoples fall down, God! 8You have taken account of my miseries; Put my tears in Your bottle. Are they not in Your book? 9Then my enemies will turn back on the day when I call; This I know, that God is for me. 10In God, whose word I praise, In the Lord, whose word I praise, 11In God I have put my trust, I shall not be afraid. What can mankind do to me? 12Your vows are binding upon me, God; I will render thanksgiving offerings to You. 13For You have saved my soul from death, Indeed my feet from stumbling, So that I may walk before God In the light of the living.Chapter 57
1Be gracious to me, God, be gracious to me, For my soul takes refuge in You; And in the shadow of Your wings I will take refuge Until destruction passes by. 2I will cry to God Most High, To God who accomplishes all things for me. 3He will send from heaven and save me; He rebukes the one who tramples upon me. Selah God will send His favor and His truth. 4My soul is among lions; I must lie among those who devour, Among sons of mankind whose teeth are spears and arrows, And their tongue is a sharp sword. 5Be exalted above the heavens, God; May Your glory be above all the earth. 6They have prepared a net for my steps; My soul is bowed down; They dug a pit before me; They themselves have fallen into the midst of it. Selah 7My heart is steadfast, God, my heart is steadfast; I will sing, yes, I will sing praises! 8Awake, my glory! Awake, harp and lyre! I will awaken the dawn. 9I will praise You, Lord, among the peoples; I will sing praises to You among the nations. 10For Your goodness is great to the heavens And Your truth to the clouds. 11Be exalted above the heavens, God; May Your glory be above all the earth.Chapter 58
1Do you indeed speak righteousness, you gods? Do you judge fairly, you sons of mankind? 2No, in heart you practice injustice; On earth you clear a way for the violence of your hands. 3The wicked have turned away from the womb; These who speak lies go astray from birth. 4They have venom like the venom of a serpent; Like a deaf cobra that stops up its ear, 5So that it does not hear the voice of charmers, Or a skillful caster of spells. 6God, shatter their teeth in their mouth; Break out the fangs of the young lions, Lord. 7May they flow away like water that runs off; When he aims his arrows, may they be as headless shafts. 8 May they be like a snail which goes along in slime, Like the miscarriage of a woman that never sees the sun. 9Before your pots can feel the fire of thorns He will sweep them away with a whirlwind, the green and the burning alike. 10The righteous will rejoice when he sees vengeance; He will wash his feet in the blood of the wicked. 11And people will say, 'There certainly is a reward for the righteous; There certainly is a God who judges on the earth!'Chapter 59
1Rescue me from my enemies, my God; Set me securely on high away from those who rise up against me. 2Rescue me from those who practice injustice, And save me from men of bloodshed. 3For behold, they have set an ambush for my life; Fierce men attack me, Not for my wrongdoing nor for my sin, Lord, 4 For no guilt of mine, they run and take their stand against me. Stir Yourself to help me, and see! 5You, Lord God of armies, the God of Israel, Awake to punish all the nations; Do not be gracious to any who deal treacherously in wrongdoing. Selah 6They return at evening, they howl like a dog, And prowl around the city. 7Behold, they gush forth with their mouths; Swords are in their lips, For, they say, 'Who hears?' 8But You, Lord, laugh at them; You scoff at all the nations. 9 Because of his strength I will watch for You, For God is my refuge. 10 My God in His faithfulness will meet me; God will let me look triumphantly upon my enemies. 11Do not kill them, or my people will forget; Scatter them by Your power and bring them down, Lord, our shield. 12 On account of the sin of their mouths and the words of their lips, May they even be caught in their pride, And on account of curses and lies which they tell. 13 Destroy them in wrath, destroy them so that they will no longer exist; So that people may know that God rules in Jacob, To the ends of the earth. Selah 14They return at evening, they howl like a dog, And prowl around the city. 15They wander about for food And murmur if they are not satisfied. 16But as for me, I will sing of Your strength; Yes, I will joyfully sing of Your faithfulness in the morning, For You have been my refuge And a place of refuge on the day of my distress. 17My strength, I will sing praises to You; For God is my refuge, the God who shows me favor.King James Version
Christian Standard Bible
2My adversaries trample me all day, for many arrogantly fight against me.
3When I am afraid, I will trust in you.
4In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?
5They twist my words all day long; all their thoughts against me are evil.
6They stir up strife, they lurk; they watch my steps while they wait to take my life.
7Will they escape in spite of such sin? God, bring down the nations in wrath.
8You yourself have recorded my wanderings. Put my tears in your bottle. Are they not in your book?
9Then my enemies will retreat on the day when I call. This I know: God is for me.
10In God, whose word I praise, in the Lord, whose word I praise,
11in God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can mere humans do to me?
12I am obligated by vows to you, God; I will make my thank offerings to you.
13For you rescued me from death, even my feet from stumbling, to walk before God in the light of life.
Chapter 57
1For the choir director: "Do Not Destroy." A Miktam of David. When he fled before Saul into the cave. Be gracious to me, God, be gracious to me, for I take refuge in you. I will seek refuge in the shadow of your wings until danger passes. 2I call to God Most High, to God who fulfills his purpose for me.
3He reaches down from heaven and saves me, challenging the one who tramples me. Selah God sends his faithful love and truth.
4I am surrounded by lions; I lie down among devouring lions— people whose teeth are spears and arrows, whose tongues are sharp swords.
5God, be exalted above the heavens; let your glory be over the whole earth.
6They prepared a net for my steps; I was despondent. They dug a pit ahead of me, but they fell into it! Selah
7My heart is confident, God, my heart is confident. I will sing; I will sing praises.
8Wake up, my soul! Wake up, harp and lyre! I will wake up the dawn.
9I will praise you, Lord, among the peoples; I will sing praises to you among the nations.
10For your faithful love is as high as the heavens; your faithfulness reaches the clouds.
11God, be exalted above the heavens; let your glory be over the whole earth.
2No, you practice injustice in your hearts; with your hands you weigh out violence in the land.
3The wicked go astray from the womb; liars wander about from birth.
4They have venom like the venom of a snake, like the deaf cobra that stops up its ears,
5that does not listen to the sound of the charmers who skillfully weave spells.
6God, knock the teeth out of their mouths; Lord, tear out the young lions’ fangs.
7May they vanish like water that flows by; may they aim their blunted arrows.
8Like a slug that moves along in slime, like a woman’s miscarried child, may they not see the sun.
9Before your pots can feel the heat of the thorns— whether green or burning— he will sweep them away.
10The righteous one will rejoice when he sees the retribution; he will wash his feet in the blood of the wicked.
11Then people will say, "Yes, there is a reward for the righteous! There is a God who judges on earth!"
Chapter 59
1For the choir director: "Do Not Destroy." A Miktam of David. When Saul sent agents to watch the house and kill him. Rescue me from my enemies, my God; protect me from those who rise up against me. 2Rescue me from those who practice sin, and save me from men of bloodshed. 3Because look, Lord, they set an ambush for me. Powerful men attack me, but not because of any sin or rebellion of mine. 4For no fault of mine, they run and take up a position. Awake to help me, and take notice.
5 Lord God of Armies, you are the God of Israel. Rise up to punish all the nations; do not show favor to any wicked traitors. Selah
6They return at evening, snarling like dogs and prowling around the city.
7Look, they spew from their mouths— sharp words from their lips. "For who," they say, "will hear?"
8But you laugh at them, Lord; you ridicule all the nations.
9I will keep watch for you, my strength, because God is my stronghold.
10My faithful God will come to meet me; God will let me look down on my adversaries.
11Do not kill them; otherwise, my people will forget. By your power, make them homeless wanderers and bring them down, Lord, our shield.
12For the sin of their mouths and the words of their lips, let them be caught in their pride. They utter curses and lies.
13Consume them in rage; consume them until they are gone. Then people will know throughout the earth that God rules over Jacob. Selah
14And they return at evening, snarling like dogs and prowling around the city.
15They scavenge for food; they growl if they are not satisfied.
16But I will sing of your strength and will joyfully proclaim your faithful love in the morning. For you have been a stronghold for me, a refuge in my day of trouble.
17To you, my strength, I sing praises, because God is my stronghold— my faithful God.
New Living Translation
Chapter 56
1 O God, have mercy on me, for people are hounding me. My foes attack me all day long. 2I am constantly hounded by those who slander me, and many are boldly attacking me. 3But when I am afraid, I will put my trust in you. 4I praise God for what he has promised. I trust in God, so why should I be afraid? What can mere mortals do to me?
5They are always twisting what I say; they spend their days plotting to harm me.
6They come together to spy on me — watching my every step, eager to kill me.
7Don’t let them get away with their wickedness; in your anger, O God, bring them down.
9My enemies will retreat when I call to you for help. This I know: God is on my side!
10I praise God for what he has promised; yes, I praise the Lord for what he has promised.
11I trust in God, so why should I be afraid? What can mere mortals do to me?
12I will fulfill my vows to you, O God, and will offer a sacrifice of thanks for your help.
13For you have rescued me from death; you have kept my feet from slipping. So now I can walk in your presence, O God, in your life-giving light.
Chapter 57
1 Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy! I look to you for protection. I will hide beneath the shadow of your wings until the danger passes by. 2I cry out to God Most High, to God who will fulfill his purpose for me.
7My heart is confident in you, O God; my heart is confident. No wonder I can sing your praises!
8Wake up, my heart! Wake up, O lyre and harp! I will wake the dawn with my song.
9I will thank you, Lord, among all the people. I will sing your praises among the nations.
10For your unfailing love is as high as the heavens. Your faithfulness reaches to the clouds.
Chapter 58
1 Justice — do you rulers know the meaning of the word? Do you judge the people fairly? 2No! You plot injustice in your hearts. You spread violence throughout the land. 3These wicked people are born sinners; even from birth they have lied and gone their own way. 4They spit venom like deadly snakes; they are like cobras that refuse to listen, 5ignoring the tunes of the snake charmers, no matter how skillfully they play.
6Break off their fangs, O God! Smash the jaws of these lions, O Lord!
7May they disappear like water into thirsty ground. Make their weapons useless in their hands.
8May they be like snails that dissolve into slime, like a stillborn child who will never see the sun.
9God will sweep them away, both young and old, faster than a pot heats over burning thorns.
10The godly will rejoice when they see injustice avenged. They will wash their feet in the blood of the wicked.
11Then at last everyone will say, 'There truly is a reward for those who live for God; surely there is a God who judges justly here on earth.'
Chapter 59
1 Rescue me from my enemies, O God. Protect me from those who have come to destroy me. 2Rescue me from these criminals; save me from these murderers. 3They have set an ambush for me. Fierce enemies are out there waiting, Lord, though I have not sinned or offended them. 4I have done nothing wrong, yet they prepare to attack me. Wake up! See what is happening and help me!
6They come out at night, snarling like vicious dogs as they prowl the streets.
7Listen to the filth that comes from their mouths; their words cut like swords. 'After all, who can hear us?' they sneer.
8But Lord, you laugh at them. You scoff at all the hostile nations.
9You are my strength; I wait for you to rescue me, for you, O God, are my fortress.
10In his unfailing love, my God will stand with me. He will let me look down in triumph on all my enemies.
11Don’t kill them, for my people soon forget such lessons; stagger them with your power, and bring them to their knees, O Lord our shield.
12Because of the sinful things they say, because of the evil that is on their lips, let them be captured by their pride, their curses, and their lies.
English Standard Version
Chapter 56
1 Be gracious to me, O God, for man tramples on me; all day long an attacker oppresses me; 2my enemies trample on me all day long, for many attack me proudly. 3When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. 4In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I shall not be afraid. What can flesh do to me? 5All day long they injure my cause; all their thoughts are against me for evil. 6They stir up strife, they lurk; they watch my steps, as they have waited for my life. 7For their crime will they escape? In wrath cast down the peoples, O God! 8You have kept count of my tossings; put my tears in your bottle. Are they not in your book? 9Then my enemies will turn back in the day when I call. This I know, that God is for me. 10In God, whose word I praise, in the Lord, whose word I praise, 11in God I trust; I shall not be afraid. What can man do to me? 12I must perform my vows to you, O God; I will render thank offerings to you. 13 For you have delivered my soul from death, yes, my feet from falling, that I may walk before God in the light of life.Chapter 57
1 Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me, for in you my soul takes refuge; in the shadow of your wings I will take refuge, till the storms of destruction pass by. 2I cry out to God Most High, to God who fulfills his purpose for me. 3 He will send from heaven and save me; he will put to shame him who tramples on me. Selah God will send out his steadfast love and his faithfulness! 4My soul is in the midst of lions; I lie down amid fiery beasts — the children of man, whose teeth are spears and arrows, whose tongues are sharp swords. 5 Be exalted, O God, above the heavens! Let your glory be over all the earth! 6They set a net for my steps; my soul was bowed down. They dug a pit in my way, but they have fallen into it themselves. Selah 7 My heart is steadfast, O God, my heart is steadfast! I will sing and make melody! 8 Awake, my glory! Awake, O harp and lyre! I will awake the dawn! 9I will give thanks to you, O Lord, among the peoples; I will sing praises to you among the nations. 10For your steadfast love is great to the heavens, your faithfulness to the clouds. 11 Be exalted, O God, above the heavens! Let your glory be over all the earth!Chapter 58
1Do you indeed decree what is right, you gods? Do you judge the children of man uprightly? 2No, in your hearts you devise wrongs; your hands deal out violence on earth. 3The wicked are estranged from the womb; they go astray from birth, speaking lies. 4 They have venom like the venom of a serpent, like the deaf adder that stops its ear, 5so that it does not hear the voice of charmers or of the cunning enchanter. 6O God, break the teeth in their mouths; tear out the fangs of the young lions, O Lord! 7Let them vanish like water that runs away; when he aims his arrows, let them be blunted. 8Let them be like the snail that dissolves into slime, like the stillborn child who never sees the sun. 9Sooner than your pots can feel the heat of thorns, whether green or ablaze, may he sweep them away! 10 The righteous will rejoice when he sees the vengeance; he will bathe his feet in the blood of the wicked. 11Mankind will say, "Surely there is a reward for the righteous; surely there is a God who judges on earth."Chapter 59
1 Deliver me from my enemies, O my God; protect me from those who rise up against me; 2deliver me from those who work evil, and save me from bloodthirsty men. 3For behold, they lie in wait for my life; fierce men stir up strife against me. For no transgression or sin of mine, O Lord, 4for no fault of mine, they run and make ready. Awake, come to meet me, and see! 5You, Lord God of hosts, are God of Israel. Rouse yourself to punish all the nations; spare none of those who treacherously plot evil. Selah 6Each evening they come back, howling like dogs and prowling about the city. 7There they are, bellowing with their mouths with swords in their lips — for "Who," they think, "will hear us?" 8But you, O Lord, laugh at them; you hold all the nations in derision. 9O my Strength, I will watch for you, for you, O God, are my fortress. 10 My God in his steadfast love will meet me; God will let me look in triumph on my enemies. 11Kill them not, lest my people forget; make them totter by your power and bring them down, O Lord, our shield! 12For the sin of their mouths, the words of their lips, let them be trapped in their pride. For the cursing and lies that they utter, 13 consume them in wrath; consume them till they are no more, that they may know that God rules over Jacob to the ends of the earth. Selah 14 Each evening they come back, howling like dogs and prowling about the city. 15They wander about for food and growl if they do not get their fill. 16But I will sing of your strength; I will sing aloud of your steadfast love in the morning. For you have been to me a fortress and a refuge in the day of my distress. 17O my Strength, I will sing praises to you, for you, O God, are my fortress, the God who shows me steadfast love.New International Version
2My adversaries pursue me all day long; in their pride many are attacking me.
3When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.
4In God, whose word I praise— in God I trust and am not afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?
5All day long they twist my words; all their schemes are for my ruin.
6They conspire, they lurk, they watch my steps, hoping to take my life.
7Because of their wickedness do not let them escape; in your anger, God, bring the nations down.
8Record my misery; list my tears on your scroll — are they not in your record?
9Then my enemies will turn back when I call for help. By this I will know that God is for me.
10In God, whose word I praise, in the Lord, whose word I praise—
11in God I trust and am not afraid. What can man do to me?
12I am under vows to you, my God; I will present my thank offerings to you.
13For you have delivered me from death and my feet from stumbling, that I may walk before God in the light of life.
Chapter 57
1For the director of music. To the tune of "Do Not Destroy." Of David. A miktam. When he had fled from Saul into the cave. Have mercy on me, my God, have mercy on me, for in you I take refuge. I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings until the disaster has passed. 2I cry out to God Most High, to God, who vindicates me.
6They spread a net for my feet— I was bowed down in distress. They dug a pit in my path— but they have fallen into it themselves.
7My heart, O God, is steadfast, my heart is steadfast; I will sing and make music.
8Awake, my soul! Awake, harp and lyre! I will awaken the dawn.
9I will praise you, Lord, among the nations; I will sing of you among the peoples.
10For great is your love, reaching to the heavens; your faithfulness reaches to the skies.
11Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; let your glory be over all the earth.
2No, in your heart you devise injustice, and your hands mete out violence on the earth.
3Even from birth the wicked go astray; from the womb they are wayward, spreading lies.
4Their venom is like the venom of a snake, like that of a cobra that has stopped its ears,
5that will not heed the tune of the charmer, however skillful the enchanter may be.
6Break the teeth in their mouths, O God; Lord, tear out the fangs of those lions!
7Let them vanish like water that flows away; when they draw the bow, let their arrows fall short.
8May they be like a slug that melts away as it moves along, like a stillborn child that never sees the sun.
9Before your pots can feel the heat of the thorns— whether they be green or dry—the wicked will be swept away.
10The righteous will be glad when they are avenged, when they dip their feet in the blood of the wicked.
11Then people will say, "Surely the righteous still are rewarded; surely there is a God who judges the earth."
2Deliver me from evildoers and save me from those who are after my blood.
3See how they lie in wait for me! Fierce men conspire against me for no offense or sin of mine, Lord.
4I have done no wrong, yet they are ready to attack me. Arise to help me; look on my plight!
5You, Lord God Almighty, you who are the God of Israel, rouse yourself to punish all the nations; show no mercy to wicked traitors.
6They return at evening, snarling like dogs, and prowl about the city.
7See what they spew from their mouths— the words from their lips are sharp as swords, and they think, "Who can hear us?"
8But you laugh at them, Lord; you scoff at all those nations.
9You are my strength, I watch for you; you, God, are my fortress,
10my God on whom I can rely. God will go before me and will let me gloat over those who slander me.
11But do not kill them, Lord our shield, or my people will forget. In your might uproot them and bring them down.
12For the sins of their mouths, for the words of their lips, let them be caught in their pride. For the curses and lies they utter,
New King James Version
Chapter 56
1{To the Chief Musician. Set to “The Silent Dove in Distant Lands.” A Michtam of David when the Philistines captured him in Gath.} Be merciful to me, O God, for man would swallow me up; Fighting all day he oppresses me. 2My enemies would hound me all day, For there are many who fight against me, O Most High. 3Whenever I am afraid, I will trust in You. 4In God (I will praise His word), In God I have put my trust; I will not fear. What can flesh do to me? 5All day they twist my words; All their thoughts are against me for evil. 6They gather together, They hide, they mark my steps, When they lie in wait for my life. 7Shall they escape by iniquity? In anger cast down the peoples, O God! 8You number my wanderings; Put my tears into Your bottle; Are they not in Your book? 9When I cry out to You, Then my enemies will turn back; This I know, because God is for me. 10In God (I will praise His word), In the Lord (I will praise His word), 11In God I have put my trust; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me? 12Vows made to You are binding upon me, O God; I will render praises to You, 13 For You have delivered my soul from death. Have You not kept my feet from falling, That I may walk before God In the light of the living?Chapter 57
1{To the Chief Musician. Set to “Do Not Destroy.” A Michtam of David when he fled from Saul into the cave.} Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me! For my soul trusts in You; And in the shadow of Your wings I will make my refuge, Until these calamities have passed by. 2I will cry out to God Most High, To God who performs all things for me.
3 He shall send from heaven and save me; He reproaches the one who would swallow me up. Selah God shall send forth His mercy and His truth.
4My soul is among lions; I lie among the sons of men Who are set on fire, Whose teeth are spears and arrows, And their tongue a sharp sword.
5 Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; Let Your glory be above all the earth.
7 My heart is steadfast, O God, my heart is steadfast; I will sing and give praise.
8Awake, my glory! Awake, lute and harp! I will awaken the dawn.
9 I will praise You, O Lord, among the peoples; I will sing to You among the nations.
10 For Your mercy reaches unto the heavens, And Your truth unto the clouds.
11 Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; Let Your glory be above all the earth.
Chapter 58
1{To the Chief Musician. Set to “Do Not Destroy.” A Michtam of David.} Do you indeed speak righteousness, you silent ones? Do you judge uprightly, you sons of men? 2No, in heart you work wickedness; You weigh out the violence of your hands in the earth. 3 The wicked are estranged from the womb; They go astray as soon as they are born, speaking lies. 4 Their poison is like the poison of a serpent; They are like the deaf cobra that stops its ear, 5Which will not heed the voice of charmers, Charming ever so skillfully. 6 Break their teeth in their mouth, O God! Break out the fangs of the young lions, O Lord! 7 Let them flow away as waters which run continually; When he bends his bow, Let his arrows be as if cut in pieces. 8 Let them be like a snail which melts away as it goes, Like a stillborn child of a woman, that they may not see the sun. 9Before your pots can feel the burning thorns, He shall take them away as with a whirlwind, As in His living and burning wrath. 10The righteous shall rejoice when he sees the vengeance; He shall wash his feet in the blood of the wicked, 11 So that men will say, “Surely there is a reward for the righteous; Surely He is God who judges in the earth.”Chapter 59
1{To the Chief Musician. Set to “Do Not Destroy.” A Michtam of David when Saul sent men, and they watched the house in order to kill him.} Deliver me from my enemies, O my God; Defend me from those who rise up against me. 2Deliver me from the workers of iniquity, And save me from bloodthirsty men. 3For look, they lie in wait for my life; The mighty gather against me, Not for my transgression nor for my sin, O Lord. 4They run and prepare themselves through no fault of mine. Awake to help me, and behold!
6 At evening they return, They growl like a dog, And go all around the city.
7Indeed, they belch with their mouth; Swords are in their lips; For they say, “Who hears?”
8But You, O Lord, shall laugh at them; You shall have all the nations in derision.
9I will wait for You, O You his Strength; For God is my defense.
10My God of mercy shall come to meet me; God shall let me see my desire on my enemies.
11Do not slay them, lest my people forget; Scatter them by Your power, And bring them down, O Lord our shield.
12 For the sin of their mouth and the words of their lips, Let them even be taken in their pride, And for the cursing and lying which they speak.
14And at evening they return, They growl like a dog, And go all around the city.
15They wander up and down for food, And howl if they are not satisfied.
16But I will sing of Your power; Yes, I will sing aloud of Your mercy in the morning; For You have been my defense And refuge in the day of my trouble.
17To You, O my Strength, I will sing praises; For God is my defense, My God of mercy.
