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Psalm 56

To the chief Musician upon Jonath-elem-rechokim, Michtam of David, when the Philistines took him in Gath.

Be merciful unto me, O God: for man would swallow me up; he fighting daily oppresseth me.

Psalm 56:1 KJV

Mine enemies would daily swallow me up: for they be many that fight against me, O thou most High.

Psalm 56:2 KJV

What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee.

Psalm 56:3 KJV

In God I will praise his word, in God I have put my trust; I will not fear what flesh can do unto me.

Psalm 56:4 KJV

Every day they wrest my words: all their thoughts are against me for evil.

Psalm 56:5 KJV

They gather themselves together, they hide themselves, they mark my steps, when they wait for my soul.

Psalm 56:6 KJV

Shall they escape by iniquity? in thine anger cast down the people, O God.

Psalm 56:7 KJV

Thou tellest my wanderings: put thou my tears into thy bottle: are they not in thy book?

Psalm 56:8 KJV

When I cry unto thee, then shall mine enemies turn back: this I know; for God is for me.

Psalm 56:9 KJV

In God will I praise his word: in the LORD will I praise his word.

Psalm 56:10 KJV

In God have I put my trust: I will not be afraid what man can do unto me.

Psalm 56:11 KJV

Thy vows are upon me, O God: I will render praises unto thee.

Psalm 56:12 KJV

For thou hast delivered my soul from death: wilt not thou deliver my feet from falling, that I may walk before God in the light of the living?

Psalm 56:13 KJV

End of Psalm 56

Continue reading Psalm 57

Meaning of key verses in Psalm 56

Psalm 56:3

David wrote Psalm 56 when the Philistines seized him in Gath, a time of real danger (1 Samuel 21). This verse is one of the shortest and most honest prayers in the Bible: "What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee." David does not pretend he is never afraid. He admits that fear comes, and he decides in advance what he will do when it does. Trust is a choice he makes in the moment of fear, not a feeling that removes fear first. The next verse adds, "I will not fear what flesh can do unto me." It is an easy verse to memorize for children and adults alike.

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