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.

Psalm 59

For the music director; according to the al-tashcheth style; a prayer3 of David, written when Saul sent men to surround his house and murder him.4

1 Deliver me from my enemies, my God!
Protect me from those who attack me!

2 Deliver me from evildoers!
Rescue me from violent men!

3 For look, they wait to ambush me;
powerful men stalk me,
but not because I have rebelled or sinned, O Lord.

4 Though I have done nothing wrong, they are anxious to attack.
Spring into action and help me! Take notice of me!

5 You, O Lord God, the invincible warrior, the God of Israel,
rouse yourself and punish all the nations!
Have no mercy on any treacherous evildoers! (Selah)

6 They return in the evening;
they growl like a dog
and prowl around outside the city.

7 Look, they hurl insults at me
and openly threaten to kill me,
for they say,
“Who hears?”

8 But you, O Lord, laugh in disgust at them;
you taunt all the nations.

9 You are my source of strength! I will wait for you!
For God is my refuge.

10 The God who loves me will help me;
God will enable me to triumph over my enemies.

11 Do not strike them dead suddenly,
because then my people might forget the lesson.
Use your power to make them homeless vagabonds and then bring them down,
O Lord who shields us!

12 They speak sinful words.
So let them be trapped by their own pride
and by the curses and lies they speak!

13 Angrily wipe them out! Wipe them out so they vanish!
Let them know that God rules
in Jacob and to the ends of the earth! (Selah)

14 They return in the evening;
they growl like a dog
and prowl around outside the city.

15 They wander around looking for something to eat;
they refuse to sleep until they are full.

16 As for me, I will sing about your strength;
I will praise your loyal love in the morning.
For you are my refuge
and my place of shelter when I face trouble.

17 You are my source of strength! I will sing praises to you!
For God is my refuge, the God who loves me.