Psalms 59
1 For the Chief Musician; [set to] Al-tashheth. [A Psalm] of David. Michtam; when Saul sent, and they watched the house to kill him. Deliver me from mine enemies, O my God: Set me on high from them that rise up against me.
For the music director. According to “Do Not Destroy.” A psalm (miktam) of David, concerning the time Saul sent out soldiers to watch David's house in order to kill him. Rescue me from my enemies, God! Protect me from those who are attacking me!
2 Deliver me from the workers of iniquity, And save me from the bloodthirsty men.
Rescue me from these evil people! Save me from these murderers!
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.
See how they're lying in wait to kill me! Powerful men are gathered against me, Lord, even though I have not sinned or done anything wrong.
4 They run and prepare themselves without [my] fault: Awake thou to help me, and behold.
Even though I'm not guilty they hurry to prepare an attack on me. Please stand up, come and help me, and see what's going on.
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)
You are God, the Lord Almighty, God of Israel. Stand up, and punish all the nations. Don't have any mercy on these evil traitors. (Selah)
6 They return at evening, they howl like a dog, And go round about the city.
In the evening they return, snarling like dogs as they roam around the city.
7 Behold, they belch out with their mouth; Swords are in their lips: For who, [say they], doth hear?
See what evil talk comes pouring out of their mouths! Words sharp as swords, for they say to themselves, “Who can hear us?”
8 But thou, O Jehovah, wilt laugh at them; Thou wilt have all the nations in derision.
But you, Lord, you laugh at them; you pour scorn on all the nations.
9 [Because of] his strength I will give heed unto thee; For God is my high tower.
You are my strength! I will look to you, God, for you are the one who protects me.
10 My God with his lovingkindness will meet me: God will let me see [my desire] upon mine enemies.
In his trustworthy love, God will come and save me. He will show me how my enemies are defeated.
11 Slay them not, lest my people forget: Scatter them by thy power, and bring them down, O Lord our shield.
Don't kill them right away, otherwise my people will quickly forget what you have done. By your power make them stagger around and then fall down, Lord our protection.
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.
Let them be caught out by the evil things they say, the words they proudly speak—brought down by their curses and the lies they tell!
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)
Destroy them in your anger! Destroy them completely! Then everyone will know that God rules in Israel!
14 And at evening let them return, let them howl like a dog, And go round about the city.
In the evening they return, snarling like dogs as they roam around the city.
15 They shall wander up and down for food, And tarry all night if they be not satisfied.
They wander around, looking for things to eat, and howl when they're 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.
But I will sing of your strength; in the morning I will sing for joy about your trustworthy love. For you have been my protection; my place of safety in my time of trouble.
17 Unto thee, O my strength, will I sing praises: For God is my high tower, the God of my mercy.
You are my strength, I sing praises to you, for you are the one who protects me—the God who shows me his trustworthy love!
