Psalms 59
1 Deliver me from my enemies, O my God: defend me from them that rise up against me.
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!
2 Deliver me from the workers of iniquity, and save me from bloody men.
Rescue me from these evil people! Save me from these murderers!
3 For, see, they lie in wait for my soul: the mighty are gathered against me; not for my transgression, nor for my sin, O LORD.
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.
4 They run and prepare themselves without my fault: awake to help me, and behold.
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.
5 You therefore, O LORD God of hosts, the God of Israel, awake to visit all the heathen: be not merciful to any wicked transgressors. (Selah)
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)
6 They return at evening: they make a noise like a dog, and go round about the city.
In the evening they return, snarling like dogs as they roam around the city.
7 Behold, they belch out with their mouth: swords are in their lips: for who, say they, does hear?
See what evil talk comes pouring out of their mouths! Words sharp as swords, for they say to themselves, “Who can hear us?”
8 But you, O LORD, shall laugh at them; you shall have all the heathen in derision.
But you, Lord, you laugh at them; you pour scorn on all the nations.
9 Because of his strength will I wait on you: for God is my defense.
You are my strength! I will look to you, God, for you are the one who protects me.
10 The God of my mercy shall prevent me: God shall let me see my desire on my enemies.
In his trustworthy love, God will come and save me. He will show me how my enemies are defeated.
11 Slay them not, lest my people forget: scatter them by your power; and bring them down, O Lord our shield.
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.
12 For the sin of their mouth and the words of their lips let them even be taken in their pride: and for cursing and lying which they speak.
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!
13 Consume them in wrath, consume them, that they may not be: and let them know that God rules in Jacob to the ends of the earth. (Selah)
Destroy them in your anger! Destroy them completely! Then everyone will know that God rules in Israel!
14 And at evening let them return; and let them make a noise like a dog, and go round about the city.
In the evening they return, snarling like dogs as they roam around the city.
15 Let them wander up and down for meat, and grudge if they be not satisfied.
They wander around, looking for things to eat, and howl when they're not satisfied.
16 But I will sing of your power; yes, I will sing aloud of your mercy in the morning: for you have been my defense and refuge in the day of my trouble.
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.
17 To you, O my strength, will I sing: for God is my defense, and the God of my mercy.
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!
