Psalms

The Psalter is Israel’s hymnbook: lament, praise, thanksgiving, royal psalms, and wisdom. It trains the heart to speak to God in trouble and in joy, and it points ahead to the Messiah.

Author: David and others
Date: c. 1400–400 BC
Theme: Prayers and songs for every season of the life of faith.
Key verses: Psalm 23; Psalm 51; Psalm 119:105
Berean Standard Bible

Psalms 56

1For the choirmaster. To the tune of “A Dove on Distant Oaks.” A Miktam of David, when the Philistines seized him in Gath. Be merciful to me, O God, for men are hounding me; all day they press their attack. 2My enemies pursue me all day long, for many proudly assail me. 3When I am afraid, I put my trust in You. 4In God, whose word I praise— in God I trust. I will not be afraid. What can man do to me? 5All day long they twist my words; all their thoughts are on my demise. 6They conspire, they lurk, they watch my steps while they wait to take my life. 7In spite of such sin, will they escape? In Your anger, O God, cast down the nations. 8You have taken account of my wanderings. Put my tears in Your bottle— are they not in Your book? 9Then my enemies will retreat on the day I cry for help. By this I will know that God is on my side. 10In God, whose word I praise, in the LORD, whose word I praise, 11in God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me? 12Your vows are upon me, O God; I will render thank offerings to You. 13For You have delivered my soul from death, and my feet from stumbling, that I may walk before God in the light of life.

Berean Standard Bible. The Berean Standard Bible text has been dedicated to the public domain.