Psalm 59

Psalm 59

For the choir director: A psalm of David, regarding the time Saul sent soldiers to watch David’s house in order to kill him. To be sung to the tune “Do Not Destroy!”

1 Rescue me from my enemies, O God.
Protect me from those who have come to destroy me.2 Rescue me from these criminals;
save me from these murderers.3 They have set an ambush for me.
Fierce enemies are out there waiting, LORD,
though I have not sinned or offended them.4 I have done nothing wrong,
yet they prepare to attack me.
Wake up! See what is happening and help me!5 O LORD God of Heaven’s Armies, the God of Israel,
wake up and punish those hostile nations.
Show no mercy to wicked traitors.
Interlude6 They come out at night,
snarling like vicious dogs
as they prowl the streets.7 Listen to the filth that comes from their mouths;
their words cut like swords.
“After all, who can hear us?” they sneer.8 But LORD, you laugh at them.
You scoff at all the hostile nations.9 You are my strength; I wait for you to rescue me,
for you, O God, are my fortress.10 In his unfailing love, my God will stand with me.
He will let me look down in triumph on all my enemies.11 Don’t kill them, for my people soon forget such lessons;
stagger them with your power, and bring them to their knees,
O Lord our shield.12 Because of the sinful things they say,
because of the evil that is on their lips,
let them be captured by their pride,
their curses, and their lies.13 Destroy them in your anger!
Wipe them out completely!
Then the whole world will know
that God reigns in Israel.t
Interlude14 My enemies come out at night,
snarling like vicious dogs
as they prowl the streets.15 They scavenge for food
but go to sleep unsatisfied.t16 But as for me, I will sing about your power.
Each morning I will sing with joy about your unfailing love.
For you have been my refuge,
a place of safety when I am in distress.17 O my Strength, to you I sing praises,
for you, O God, are my refuge,
the God who shows me unfailing love.

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.