Psalms 59
1 For the Chief Musician; [set to] Al-tashheth. [A Psalm] of David: Michtam: when Saul sent, and they watched the house to kill him. Deliver me from mine enemies, O my God: set me on high from them that rise up against me.
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 Deliver me from the workers of iniquity, and save me from the bloodthirsty men.
Deliver me from workers of iniquity, and save me from men of bloodshed.
3 For, lo, they lie in wait for my soul; the mighty gather themselves together against me: not for my transgression, nor for my sin, 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 prepare themselves without [my] fault: awake thou to help me, and behold.
For no fault of my own, they move swiftly to attack me. Arise to help me, and take notice.
5 Even thou, O LORD God of hosts, the God of Israel, arise to visit all the heathen: be not merciful to any wicked transgressors. (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 They return at evening, they make a noise like a dog, and go round about the city.
They return in the evening, snarling like dogs and prowling around the city.
7 Behold, they belch out with their mouth; swords are in their lips: for who, [say they], doth hear?
See what they spew from their mouths— sharp words from their lips: “For who can hear us?”
8 But thou, O LORD, shalt laugh at them; thou shalt have all the heathen in derision.
But You, O LORD, laugh at them; You scoff at all the nations.
9 O my strength, I will wait upon thee: for God is my high tower.
I will keep watch for You, O my strength, because You, O God, are my fortress.
10 The God of my mercy shall prevent me: God shall let me see [my desire] upon mine enemies.
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: scatter them by thy power, and bring them down, O Lord our shield.
Do not kill them, or my people will forget. Scatter them by Your power, and bring them down, O Lord, our shield.
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.
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 Consume them in wrath, consume them, that they be no more: and let them know that God ruleth in Jacob, unto the ends of the earth. (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 And at evening let them return, let them make a noise like a dog, and go round about the city.
They return in the evening, snarling like dogs and prowling around the city.
15 They shall wander up and down for meat and tarry all night if they be not satisfied.
They scavenge for food, and growl if they are not satisfied.
16 But I will sing of thy strength; yea, I will sing aloud of thy mercy in the morning: for thou hast been my high tower, and a refuge in the day of my distress.
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 Unto thee, O my strength, will I sing praises: for God is my high tower, the God of my mercy.
To You, O my strength, I sing praises, for You, O God, are my fortress, my God of loving devotion.
