Psalm 59

1-2 My God! Rescue me from my enemies, defend me from these mutineers. Rescue me from their dirty tricks, save me from their hit men.
3-4 Desperadoes have ganged up on me, they're hiding in ambush for me. I did nothing to deserve this, God, crossed no one, wronged no one. All the same, they're after me, determined to get me.
5 Wake up and see for yourself! You're God, God-of-Angel-Armies, Israel's God! Get on the job and take care of these pagans, don't be soft on these hard cases.
6-7 They return when the sun goes down, They howl like coyotes, ringing the city. Then suddenly they're all at the gate, Snarling invective, drawn daggers in their teeth. They think they'll never get caught.
8-10 But you, God, break out laughing; you treat the godless nations like jokes. Strong God, I'm watching you do it, I can always count on you. God in dependable love shows up on time, shows me my enemies in ruin.
11-13 Don't make quick work of them, God, lest my people forget. Bring them down in slow motion, take them apart piece by piece. Let all their mean-mouthed arrogance catch up with them, Catch them out and bring them down —every muttered curse —every barefaced lie. Finish them off in fine style! Finish them off for good! Then all the world will see that God rules well in Jacob, everywhere that God's in charge.
14-15 They return when the sun goes down, They howl like coyotes, ringing the city. They scavenge for bones, And bite the hand that feeds them.
16-17 And me? I'm singing your prowess, shouting at cockcrow your largesse, For you've been a safe place for me, a good place to hide. Strong God, I'm watching you do it, I can always count on you— God, my dependable love. A David Psalm, When He Fought Against Aram-naharaim and Aram-zobah and Joab Killed Twelve Thousand Edomites at the Valley of Salt

Psalm 59

1 Deliver me from mine enemies, O my God: Set me on high from them that rise up against me.

2 Deliver me from the workers of iniquity, And save me from the bloodthirsty men.

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 Jehovah.

4 They run and prepare themselves without my fault: Awake thou to help me, and behold.

5 Even thou, O Jehovah God of hosts, the God of Israel, Arise to visit all the nations: Be not merciful to any wicked transgressors. Selah

6 They return at evening, they howl like a dog, And go round about the city.

7 Behold, they belch out with their mouth; Swords are in their lips: For who, say they, doth hear?

8 But thou, O Jehovah, wilt laugh at them; Thou wilt have all the nations in derision.

9  Because of his strength I will give heed unto thee; For God is my high tower.

10 My God with his lovingkindness will meet me: God will let me see my desire upon mine enemies.

11 Slay them not, lest my people forget: Scatter them by thy 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.

13 Consume them in wrath, consume them, so that they shall be no more: And let them know that God ruleth in Jacob, Unto the ends of the earth. Selah

14 And at evening let them return, let them howl like a dog, And go round about the city.

15 They shall wander up and down for food, And tarry all night if they be not satisfied.

16 But I will sing of thy strength; Yea, I will sing aloud of thy lovingkindness in the morning: For thou hast been my high tower, And a refuge in the day of my distress.

17 Unto thee, O my strength, will I sing praises: For God is my high tower, the God of my mercy.