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Psalms Chapter 56 (JPS)

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Psalms Chapter 56 (JPS)
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1 For the Leader; upon Jonath-elem-rehokim. A Psalm of David; Michtam; when the Philistines took him in Gath.

2 Be gracious unto me, O G-d, for man would swallow me up; all the day he fighting oppresseth me.

3 They that lie in wait for me would swallow me up all the day; for they are many that fight against me, O Most High,

4 In the day that I am afraid, I will put my trust in Thee.

5 In G-d--I will praise His word--in G-d do I trust, I will not be afraid; what can flesh do unto me?

6 All the day they trouble mine affairs; all their thoughts are against me for evil.

7 They gather themselves together, they hide themselves, they mark my steps; according as they have waited for my soul.

8 Because of iniquity cast them out; in anger bring down the peoples, O G-d.

9 Thou has counted my wanderings; put Thou my tears into Thy bottle; are they not in Thy book?

10 Then shall mine enemies turn back in the day that I call; this I know, that G-d is for me.

11 In G-d--I will praise His word--in HaShem--I will praise His word--

12 In G-d do I trust, I will not be afraid; what can man do unto me?

13 Thy vows are upon me, O G-d; I will render thank-offerings unto Thee.

14 For thou hast delivered my soul from death; hast Thou not delivered my feet from stumbling? that I may walk before G-d in the light of the living?

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Psalm 56 about?
Psalm 56 is a prayer for mercy while surrounded by enemies who 'wrest my words' and plot against him (vv.5-6), resolving repeatedly that 'What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee' (v.3).
What does verse 8 mean by God putting tears 'into thy bottle'?
It pictures God as personally attentive to suffering -- 'Thou tellest my wanderings: put thou my tears into thy bottle: are they not in thy book?' -- treating grief as something God records and remembers.
What does the psalm repeat as its central resolve?
The line 'in God have I put my trust; I will not fear what flesh can do unto me' appears twice (vv.4,11), similar in tone to the deliverance from fear recalled in Psalms 34:4. See Psalms 56:3.

Today's Verse

but there is a God in heaven that revealeth secrets, and he hath made known to the king Nebuchadnezzar what shall be in the latter days. Thy dream, and the visions of thy head upon thy bed, are these:

Daniel 2:28 | ASV

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