Psalm 56
1Have mercy on me, O God,
for my enemies are hounding me; *
all day long they assault and oppress me.
2They hound me all the day long; *
truly there are many who fight against me, O Most High.
3Whenever I am afraid, *
I will put my trust in you.
4In God, whose word I praise,
in God I trust and will not be afraid, *
for what can flesh do to me?
5All day long they damage my cause; *
their only thought is to do me evil.
6They band together; they lie in wait; *
they spy upon my footsteps;
because they seek my life.
7Shall they escape despite their wickedness? *
O God, in your anger, cast down the peoples.
8You have noted my lamentation;
put my tears into your bottle; *
are they not recorded in your book?
9Whenever I call upon you, my enemies will be put to flight; *
this I know, for God is on my side.
10In God the Lord, whose word I praise,
in God I trust and will not be afraid, *
for what can mortals do to me?
11I am bound by the vow I made to you, O God; *
I will present to you thank-offerings;
12For you have rescued my soul from death and my feet
from stumbling, *
that I may walk before God in the light of the living.
Collect of the Day: Pentecost, Proper 26
Almighty and merciful God, it is only by your gift that your faithful people offer you true and laudable service: Grant that we may run without stumbling to obtain your heavenly promises; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
Image Credit: Frightened Soldier and a Man in a Fur Hat, ca. 1652, Stefano della Bella
Metropolitan Musem of Art’s Open Access Collection
