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Psalm 56: Miserere mei, Deus

Book of Common Prayer (1979), page 662. In the 30-day Psalter it is read on day 11, at Morning Prayer.

1

Have mercy on me, O God,

for my enemies are hounding me; *

all day long they assault and oppress me.

2

They hound me all the day long; *

truly there are many who fight against me, O Most High.

3

Whenever I am afraid, *

I will put my trust in you.

4

In God, whose word I praise,

in God I trust and will not be afraid, *

for what can flesh do to me?

5

All day long they damage my cause; *

their only thought is to do me evil.

6

They band together; they lie in wait; *

they spy upon my footsteps;

because they seek my life.

7

Shall they escape despite their wickedness? *

O God, in your anger, cast down the peoples.

8

You have noted my lamentation;

put my tears into your bottle; *

are they not recorded in your book?

9

Whenever I call upon you, my enemies will be put to flight; *

this I know, for God is on my side.

10

In God the LORD, whose word I praise,

in God I trust and will not be afraid, *

for what can mortals do to me?

11

I am bound by the vow I made to you, O God; *

I will present to you thank-offerings;

12

For you have rescued my soul from death and my feet

from stumbling, *

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

When it is appointed