Psalm 56

W. van der Kamp, 1972

1. Be gracious, O my God, to whom I flee.
   I am oppressed, strong is my enemy,
   And all day long assailants harass me;
   They fight against me proudly.
   When I’m afraid, when fears of death enshroud me,
   I trust in God, who never disavowed me;
   His word I praise, He has with grace endowed me.
   What can flesh do to me?
   
2. They seek to harm my just cause all day long,
   And in their thoughts intend to do me wrong.
   They band together in an evil throng;
   They watch my steps and hound me.
   As they have waited for my life and bound me,
   So recompense those foemen who surround me;
   In wrath cast down the peoples who confound me,
   O God, my Helper strong.
   
3. My woes and wand’rings Thou dost count and see;
   Put Thou my tears, O God to whom I flee,
   Into Thy bottle and remember me
   When foes oppress and grieve me.
   Are all my ills, the sorrows that bereave me,
   Not in Thy book and shalt Thou not relieve me?
   My enemies are put to flight and leave me
   The day I cry to Thee.
   
4. For this I know, that God is at my side.
   In Him, whose word I praise, I do confide;
   He heard my voice when in my fears I cried.
   The LORD is my Defender.
   In God I trust, to Him my praise I render.
   I do not fear, I trust His mercies tender.
   My foes shall flee when He appears in splendor.
   Why fear then human pride?
   
5. I must perform to Thee, O God, my vow;
   Before Thy throne with grateful gifts I bow,
   Thank-offerings I bring and I avow
   That Thou from death didst save me,
   For in the book of life Thou didst engrave me.
   Thou hast upheld me, foes could not enslave me,
   So that I in the light of life God gave me
   May walk before Him now.