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!
For the chief musician; set to Al Tashheth. A psalm of David. A michtam; when Saul sent, and they watched the house to kill him. Rescue me from my enemies, my God; set me on high away from those who rise up against me.
2 Rescue me from these evil people! Save me from these murderers!
Keep me safe from the workers of iniquity, and save me from the bloodthirsty 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, see, they wait in ambush to take my life. The powerful men gather themselves together against me, but not because of my transgression or my sin, Yahweh.
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 prepare to run at me although I am without fault; awake and help me and see.
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)
You, Yahweh God of hosts, the God of Israel, arise and punish all the nations; do not be 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 howl like dogs and go around 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?”
See, they belch out with their mouths; swords are in their lips, for they say, “Who hears us?”
8 But you, Lord, you laugh at them; you pour scorn on all the nations.
But you, Yahweh, laugh at them; you hold all the nations in derision.
9 You are my strength! I will look to you, God, for you are the one who protects me.
God, my strength, I will pay attention to you; you are my high tower.
10 In his trustworthy love, God will come and save me. He will show me how my enemies are defeated.
My God will meet me with his covenant faithfulness; God will let me see my desire on my 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.
Do not kill them, or my people will forget. Scatter them by your power and make them fall, Lord 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 sins of their mouths and the words of their lips, let them be captured in their pride, and for the curses and lies that they express.
13 Destroy them in your anger! Destroy them completely! Then everyone will know that God rules in Israel!
Consume them in wrath, consume them so that they will be no more; let them know that God rules in Jacob and to the ends of the earth. (Selah)
14 In the evening they return, snarling like dogs as they roam around the city.
At evening they return, howling like dogs going around the city.
15 They wander around, looking for things to eat, and howl when they're not satisfied.
They wander about looking for food and they growl like a dog if they are 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 about your strength, and in the morning I will sing about your steadfast love! For you have been my high tower and a refuge in the day of my distress.
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!
To you, my strength, I will sing praises; for God is my high tower, the God of covenant faithfulness.
