Psalm 59

To the chief Musician, Al-taschith, Michtam of David; when Saul sent, and they watched the house to kill him.

1Deliver me from mine enemies, O my God: defend me from them that rise up against me.footnote afootnote bfootnote c

2Deliver me from the workers of iniquity, and save me from bloody men.

3For, lo, they lie in wait for my soul: the mighty are gathered against me; not for my transgression, nor for my sin, O LORD.

4They run and prepare themselves without my fault: awake to help me, and behold.footnote d

5Thou therefore, O LORD God of hosts, the God of Israel, awake to visit all the heathen: be not merciful to any wicked transgressors. Selah.

6They return at evening: they make a noise like a dog, and go round about the city.

7Behold, they belch out with their mouth: swords are in their lips: for who, say they, doth hear?

8But thou, O LORD, shalt laugh at them; thou shalt have all the heathen in derision.

9Because of his strength will I wait upon thee: for God is my defence.footnote e

10The God of my mercy shall prevent me: God shall let me see my desire upon mine enemies.footnote f

11Slay them not, lest my people forget: scatter them by thy power; and bring them down, O Lord our shield.

12For 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.

13Consume them in wrath, consume them, that they may not be: and let them know that God ruleth in Jacob unto the ends of the earth. Selah.

14And at evening let them return; and let them make a noise like a dog, and go round about the city.

15Let them wander up and down for meat, and grudge if they be not satisfied.footnote gfootnote h

16But I will sing of thy power; yea, I will sing aloud of thy mercy in the morning: for thou hast been my defence and refuge in the day of my trouble.

17Unto thee, O my strength, will I sing: for God is my defence, and the God of my mercy.

Deliver Me from My Enemies

For the choirmaster. To the tune of “Do Not Destroy.” A Miktam of David, when Saul sent men to watch David’s house in order to kill him.

1Deliver me from my enemies, O my God;protect me from those who rise against me. 2Deliver me from workers of iniquity,and save me from men of bloodshed. 3See how they lie in wait for me.Fierce men conspire against mefor no transgression or sin of my own, O LORD. 4For no fault of my own,they move swiftly to attack me.Arise to help me, and take notice. 5O LORD God of Hosts, the God of Israel,rouse Yourself to punish all the nations;show no mercy to the wicked traitors.Selah 6They return in the evening, snarling like dogsand prowling around the city. 7See what they spew from their mouths—sharp words from their lips:“For who can hear us?” 8But You, O LORD, laugh at them;You scoff at all the nations.

9I will keep watch for You, O my strength,because You, O God, are my fortress. 10My God of loving devotion will come to meet me;God will let me stare down my foes.

11Do not kill them,or my people will forget.Scatter them by Your power,and bring them down,O Lord, our shield. 12By the sins of their mouthsand the words of their lips,let them be trapped in their pride,in the curses and lies they utter. 13Consume them in wrath;consume them till they are no more,so it may be known to the ends of the earththat God rules over Jacob.Selah 14They return in the evening,snarling like dogsand prowling around the city. 15They scavenge for food,and growl if they are not satisfied.

16But I will sing of Your strengthand proclaim Your loving devotion in the morning.For You are my fortress,my refuge in times of trouble. 17To You, O my strength, I sing praises,for You, O God, are my fortress,my God of loving devotion.