Psalms 59
1 For the music director. According to “Do Not Destroy.” A psalm (miktam) of David, concerning the time Saul sent out soldiers to watch David's house in order to kill him. Rescue me from my enemies, God! Protect me from those who are attacking me!
“To the chief musician, Al-tashcheth, by David, a Michtham, when Saul sent, and they watched the house to put him to death.” Deliver me from my enemies, O my God: defend me from them that rise up against me.
2 Rescue me from these evil people! Save me from these murderers!
Deliver me from the workers of wickedness, and from men of blood do thou save me.
3 See how they're lying in wait to kill me! Powerful men are gathered against me, Lord, even though I have not sinned or done anything wrong.
For, lo, they lie in wait for my soul, the mighty are gathered in troops against me: not for my transgression, nor for my sin, O Lord.
4 Even though I'm not guilty they hurry to prepare an attack on me. Please stand up, come and help me, and see what's going on.
Without guilt [in me] they run and make themselves ready: awake, [come] toward me, and behold.
5 You are God, the Lord Almighty, God of Israel. Stand up, and punish all the nations. Don't have any mercy on these evil traitors. (Selah)
And thou, O Lord God of hosts, the God of Israel, awake to punish all the nations: be not gracious to any treacherous wicked one. (Selah)
6 In the evening they return, snarling like dogs as they roam around the city.
They will return at evening; they will howl like dogs, and go round about the city.
7 See what evil talk comes pouring out of their mouths! Words sharp as swords, for they say to themselves, “Who can hear us?”
Behold, they sputter with their mouth: swords are in their lips; for who, [say they, ] doth hear?
8 But you, Lord, you laugh at them; you pour scorn on all the nations.
But thou, O Lord, wilt laugh at theme: thou wilt hold in derision all the nations.
9 You are my strength! I will look to you, God, for you are the one who protects me.
Because of [the enemy's] strength will I wait upon thee; for God is my defence.
10 In his trustworthy love, God will come and save me. He will show me how my enemies are defeated.
The God who showeth me kindness will go before me: God will let me see [my desire] upon those who regard me with envy.
11 Don't kill them right away, otherwise my people will quickly forget what you have done. By your power make them stagger around and then fall down, Lord our protection.
Slay them not, that my people may not forget: drive them about by thy power; and bring them down, thou our shield, O Lord.
12 Let them be caught out by the evil things they say, the words they proudly speak—brought down by their curses and the lies they tell!
The sin of their mouth is the word of their lips: let them be caught through their pride, because of the cursing and lying which they relate.
13 Destroy them in your anger! Destroy them completely! Then everyone will know that God rules in Israel!
Make an end in fury, make an end [of them], that they my be no more, and let them know that God ruleth in Jacob, as far as the ends of the earth. (Selah)
14 In the evening they return, snarling like dogs as they roam around the city.
And they will return in the evening; they will howl like dogs, and go round about the city.
15 They wander around, looking for things to eat, and howl when they're not satisfied.
They will indeed roam about after something to eat, if they be not satisfied, so that they can be at rest.
16 But I will sing of your strength; in the morning I will sing for joy about your trustworthy love. For you have been my protection; my place of safety in my time of trouble.
But I will truly sing of thy strength; yea, I will sing joyfully in the morning of thy kindness; for thou hast been a defence unto me and a refuge on the day when I was distressed.
17 You are my strength, I sing praises to you, for you are the one who protects me—the God who shows me his trustworthy love!
Unto thee, O my strength, will I sing; for God is my defence, the God of my kindness.
