Psalm 59

1 Deliver me from my enemies, O my God;

The Assured Judgment of the WickedTo the Chief Musician. Set to Do Not Destroy. a Michtam of David When Saul Sent Men, and They Watched the House in Order to Kill Him. Defend me from those who rise up against me.

2 Deliver me from the workers of iniquity, And save me from bloodthirsty men.3 For look, they lie in wait for my life; The mighty gather against me, Not for my transgression nor for my sin, O Lord.4 They run and prepare themselves through no fault of mine. Awake to help me, and behold!5 You therefore, O Lord God of hosts, the God of Israel, Awake to punish all the nations; Do not be merciful to any wicked transgressors. Selah6 At evening they return, They growl like a dog, And go all around the city.7 Indeed, they belch with their mouth; Swords are in their lips; For they say, Who hears?8 But You, O Lord, shall laugh at them; You shall have all the nations in derision.9 I will wait for You, O You his Strength; For God is my defense.10 My God of mercy shall come to meet me; God shall let me see my desire on my enemies.11 Do not slay them, lest my people 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 the cursing and lying which they speak.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. Selah14 And at evening they return, They growl like a dog, And go all around the city.15 They wander up and down for food, And howl if they are 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.17 To You, O my Strength, I will sing praises; For God is my defense, My God of mercy.

PSALMS 59

A Prayer for Protection

1  t Save me, God! Protect me
from enemy attacks!

2 Keep me safe from brutal people
who want to kill me.

3 Merciless enemies, [Lord],
are hiding and plotting,
hoping to kill me.
I have not hurt them
in any way at all.

4 But they are ready to attack.
Do something! Help me!
Look at what's happening.

5 [Lord] God All-Powerful,
you are the God of Israel.
Punish the other nations
and don't pity those terrible
and rebellious people.

6 My enemies return at evening,
growling like dogs
roaming the city.

7 They curse, and their words
cut like swords,
as they say to themselves,
“No one can hear us!”

8 You, [Lord], laugh at them
and sneer at the nations.

9 You are my mighty fortress,
and I depend on you.

10 You love me and will let me
see my enemies defeated.

11 Don't kill them,
or everyone may forget!
Just use your mighty power
to make them tremble
and fall.
You are a shield
for your people.

12 My enemies are liars!
So let them be trapped
by their boastful lies.

13 Get angry and destroy them.
Leave them in ruin.
Then all the nations will know
that you rule in Israel.

14 Those liars return at evening,
growling like dogs
roaming the city.

15 They search for scraps of food,
and they snarl
until they are stuffed.

16 But I will sing about
your strength, my God,
and I will celebrate
because of your love.
You are my fortress,
my place of protection
in times of trouble.

17 I will sing your praises!
You are my mighty fortress,
and you love me.