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.

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.