< Psalms 59 >
1 For the choirmaster. To the tune of “Do Not Destroy.” A Miktam of David, when Saul sent men to watch David’s house in order to kill him. Deliver me from my enemies, O my God; protect me from those who rise against me.
For the chief musician; set to Al Tashheth. A psalm of David. A michtam; when Saul sent, and they watched the house to kill him. Rescue me from my enemies, my God; set me on high away from those who rise up against me.
2 Deliver me from workers of iniquity, and save me from men of bloodshed.
Keep me safe from the workers of iniquity, and save me from the bloodthirsty men.
3 See how they lie in wait for me. Fierce men conspire against me for no transgression or sin of my own, O LORD.
For, see, they wait in ambush to take my life. The powerful men gather themselves together against me, but not because of my transgression or my sin, Yahweh.
4 For no fault of my own, they move swiftly to attack me. Arise to help me, and take notice.
They prepare to run at me although I am without fault; awake and help me and see.
5 O LORD God of Hosts, the God of Israel, rouse Yourself to punish all the nations; show no mercy to the wicked traitors.
You, Yahweh God of hosts, the God of Israel, arise and punish all the nations; do not be merciful to any wicked transgressors. (Selah)
6 They return in the evening, snarling like dogs and prowling around the city.
They return at evening, they howl like dogs and go around the city.
7 See what they spew from their mouths— sharp words from their lips: “For who can hear us?”
See, they belch out with their mouths; swords are in their lips, for they say, “Who hears us?”
8 But You, O LORD, laugh at them; You scoff at all the nations.
But you, Yahweh, laugh at them; you hold all the nations in derision.
9 I will keep watch for You, O my strength, because You, O God, are my fortress.
God, my strength, I will pay attention to you; you are my high tower.
10 My God of loving devotion will come to meet me; God will let me stare down my foes.
My God will meet me with his covenant faithfulness; God will let me see my desire on my enemies.
11 Do not kill them, or my people will forget. Scatter them by Your power, and bring them down, O Lord, our shield.
Do not kill them, or my people will forget. Scatter them by your power and make them fall, Lord our shield.
12 By the sins of their mouths and the words of their lips, let them be trapped in their pride, in the curses and lies they utter.
For the sins of their mouths and the words of their lips, let them be captured in their pride, and for the curses and lies that they express.
13 Consume them in wrath; consume them till they are no more, so it may be known to the ends of the earth that God rules over Jacob.
Consume them in wrath, consume them so that they will be no more; let them know that God rules in Jacob and to the ends of the earth. (Selah)
14 They return in the evening, snarling like dogs and prowling around the city.
At evening they return, howling like dogs going around the city.
15 They scavenge for food, and growl if they are not satisfied.
They wander about looking for food and they growl like a dog if they are not satisfied.
16 But I will sing of Your strength and proclaim Your loving devotion in the morning. For You are my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble.
But I will sing about your strength, and in the morning I will sing about your steadfast love! For you have been my high tower and a refuge in the day of my distress.
17 To You, O my strength, I sing praises, for You, O God, are my fortress, my God of loving devotion.
To you, my strength, I will sing praises; for God is my high tower, the God of covenant faithfulness.