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.

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.