< Psalms 59 >
1 To the chief Musician, Al-taschith, Michtam of David; when Saul sent, and they watched the house to kill him. Deliver me from my enemies, O my God: defend me 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 bloody 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 are gathered 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 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 Thou therefore, O LORD God of hosts, the God of Israel, awake 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 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 [Because of] his strength will I wait upon thee: for God [is] my defense.
I will keep watch for You, O my strength, because You, O God, are my fortress.
10 The God of my mercy will succor me: God will let me see [my desire] upon my 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 [may] not [be]: and let them know that God ruleth in Jacob to 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; [and] let them make a noise like a dog, and go about the city.
They return in the evening, snarling like dogs and prowling around the city.
15 Let them wander up and down for food, and grudge if they are not satisfied.
They scavenge for food, and growl if they are not satisfied.
16 But I will sing of thy power; yes, I will sing aloud of thy mercy in the morning: for thou hast been my defense and refuge 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 To thee, O my strength, will I sing: for God [is] my defense, [and] 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.