Psalms 59
1 For the leader. Al tashheth. Of David. A michtam, when Saul sent men to watch his house in order to kill him. Save me, O God, from my enemies; secure me from my assailants.
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.
2 Save me from those who do wrong, save me from the bloodthirsty.
Deliver me from workers of iniquity, and save me from men of bloodshed.
3 For see! They lay ambush for me, strong men are banded against me not for sin or transgression of mine, for no guilt of mine, O Lord,
See how they lie in wait for me. Fierce men conspire against me for no transgression or sin of my own, O LORD.
4 they run and make ready. Awake! Come forth to meet me, and see!
For no fault of my own, they move swiftly to attack me. Arise to help me, and take notice.
5 You, O Lord of hosts, God of Israel, awake! And punish the proud, every one; spare none of the traitors vile. (Selah)
O LORD God of Hosts, the God of Israel, rouse Yourself to punish all the nations; show no mercy to the wicked traitors.
6 At evening they come, and, howling like dogs, make their round in the city.
They return in the evening, snarling like dogs and prowling around the city.
7 Look at their venomous mouths, tongues like swords, they think no one hears them.
See what they spew from their mouths— sharp words from their lips: “For who can hear us?”
8 But you, Lord, laugh at them, you mock all the insolent.
But You, O LORD, laugh at them; You scoff at all the nations.
9 My strength, I will sing to you, for God is my sure retreat.
I will keep watch for You, O my strength, because You, O God, are my fortress.
10 My God with his love will meet me, and feast my eyes on my foes.
My God of loving devotion will come to meet me; God will let me stare down my foes.
11 Slay them not, lest my people forget, let your hosts keep them roaming and wandering.
Do not kill them, or my people will forget. Scatter them by Your power, and bring them down, O Lord, our shield.
12 In their sinful speech snare them, O Lord; and may they be trapped in their pride, for the curses and lies that they utter.
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.
13 In your wrath make a clean end of them, that people, to the ends of the earth, may know that God rules in Jacob. (Selah)
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.
14 At evening they come, and, howling like dogs, make their round in the city.
They return in the evening, snarling like dogs and prowling around the city.
15 They roam about for a feast, and snarl, if they get not their fill.
They scavenge for food, and growl if they are not satisfied.
16 But I will sing of your might; I will ring out your love in the morning. For to me you have been a sure refuge, a retreat in the day of my trouble.
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.
17 My strength, I will sing praise to you, for God is my sure retreat, my faithful God.
To You, O my strength, I sing praises, for You, O God, are my fortress, my God of loving devotion.
