Psalm 56

1    Have mercy on me, O God, for they trample over me;  

all day long they assault and oppress me.

2    My adversaries trample over me all the day long;  

many are they that make proud war against me.

3    In the day of my fear I put my trust in you,  

in God whose word I praise.

4    In God I trust, and will not fear,  

for what can flesh do to me?

5    All day long they wound me with words;  

their every thought is to do me evil.

6    They stir up trouble; they lie in wait;  

marking my steps, they seek my life.

7    Shall they escape for all their wickedness?  

In anger, O God, cast the peoples down.

8    You have counted up my groaning;

    put my tears into your bottle;  

are they not written in your book?

9    Then shall my enemies turn back

    on the day when I call upon you;  

this I know, for God is on my side.

10  In God whose word I praise,

    in the Lord whose word I praise,  

in God I trust and will not fear:

    what can flesh do to me?

11  To you, O God, will I fulfil my vows;  

to you will I present my offerings of thanks,

12  For you will deliver my soul from death

    and my feet from falling,  

that I may walk before God in the light of the living.

 

Common Worship: Services and Prayers for the Church of England, material from which is included here,
is copyright © The Archbishops' Council 2000 and published by Church House Publishing.

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