Psalms 59
1 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!
Deliver me from mine enemies, O my Elohim: defend me from them that rise up against me.
2 Rescue me from these evil people! Save me from these murderers!
Deliver me from the workers of iniquity, and save me from bloody men.
3 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.
For, lo, they lie in wait for my soul: the mighty are gathered against me; not for my transgression, nor for my sin, O YHWH.
4 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.
They run and prepare themselves without my fault: awake to help me, and behold.
5 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)
Thou therefore, O YHWH Elohim of hosts, the Elohim of Israel, awake to visit all the heathen: be not merciful to any wicked transgressors. (Selah)
6 In the evening they return, snarling like dogs as they roam around the city.
They return at evening: they make a noise like a dog, and go round about the city.
7 See what evil talk comes pouring out of their mouths! Words sharp as swords, for they say to themselves, “Who can hear us?”
Behold, they belch out with their mouth: swords are in their lips: for who, say they, doth hear?
8 But you, Lord, you laugh at them; you pour scorn on all the nations.
But thou, O YHWH, shalt laugh at them; thou shalt have all the heathen in derision.
9 You are my strength! I will look to you, God, for you are the one who protects me.
Because of his strength will I wait upon thee: for Elohim is my defence.
10 In his trustworthy love, God will come and save me. He will show me how my enemies are defeated.
The Elohim of my mercy shall prevent me: Elohim shall let me see my desire upon mine enemies.
11 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.
Slay them not, lest my people forget: scatter them by thy power; and bring them down, O YHWH our shield.
12 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!
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.
13 Destroy them in your anger! Destroy them completely! Then everyone will know that God rules in Israel!
Consume them in wrath, consume them, that they may not be: and let them know that Elohim ruleth in Jacob unto the ends of the earth. (Selah)
14 In the evening they return, snarling like dogs as they roam around the city.
And at evening let them return; and let them make a noise like a dog, and go round about the city.
15 They wander around, looking for things to eat, and howl when they're not satisfied.
Let them wander up and down for meat, and grudge if they be not satisfied.
16 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.
But 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.
17 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!
Unto thee, O my strength, will I sing: for Elohim is my defence, and the Elohim of my mercy.
