Psalm 59

1 For the choir director; al tashcheth ; a miktam by David when Saul sent men to watch David’s home and kill him. Rescue me from my enemies, O my God.Protect me from those who attack me.2 Rescue me from troublemakers.Save me from bloodthirsty people.3 They lie in ambush for me right here!Fierce men attack me, O Lord,but not because of any disobedience,4 or any sin, or any guilt on my part.They hurry to take positions against me.Wake up, and help me; see for yourself.5 O Lord God of Armies, God of Israel,arise to punish all the nations.Have no pity on any traitors.Selah6 They return in the evening.They howl like dogs.They prowl the city.7 See what pours out of their mouths—swords from their lips!They think, “Who will hear us?”8 O Lord, you laugh at them.You make fun of all the nations.9 O my strength, I watch for you!God is my stronghold, my merciful God!10 God will come to meet me.He will let me gloat over those who spy on me.11 Do not kill them.Otherwise, my people may forget.Make them wander aimlessly by your power.Bring them down, O Lord, our shield,12 because of the sins from their mouthsand the words on their lips.Let them be trapped by their own arrogancebecause they speak curses and lies.13 Destroy them in your rage.Destroy them until not one of them is left.Then they will know that God rules Jacobto the ends of the earth.Selah14 They return in the evening.They howl like dogs.They prowl the city.15 They wander around to find something to eat.If they are not full enough,they will stay all night.16 But I will sing about your strength.In the morning I will joyfully sing about your mercy.You have been my strongholdand a place of safety in times of trouble.17 O my strength, I will make music to praise you!God is my stronghold, my merciful God!

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.