Psalms 59
1 For the Chief Musician. To the tune of “Do Not Destroy.” A poem by David, when Saul sent, and they watched the house to kill him. Deliver me from my enemies, my God. Set me on high from those who rise up against me.
For the leader. Al tashheth. Of David. A michtam, when Saul sent men to watch his house in order to kill him. Save me, O God, from my enemies; secure me from my assailants.
2 Deliver me from the workers of iniquity. Save me from the bloodthirsty men.
Save me from those who do wrong, save me from the bloodthirsty.
3 For, behold, they lie in wait for my soul. The mighty gather themselves together against me, not for my disobedience, nor for my sin, Yahweh.
For see! They lay ambush for me, strong men are banded against me not for sin or transgression of mine, for no guilt of mine, O Lord,
4 I have done no wrong, yet they are ready to attack me. Rise up, behold, and help me!
they run and make ready. Awake! Come forth to meet me, and see!
5 You, Yahweh God of Armies, the God of Israel, rouse yourself to punish the nations. Show no mercy to the wicked traitors. (Selah)
You, O Lord of hosts, God of Israel, awake! And punish the proud, every one; spare none of the traitors vile. (Selah)
6 They return at evening, howling like dogs, and prowl around the city.
At evening they come, and, howling like dogs, make their round in the city.
7 Behold, they spew with their mouth. Swords are in their lips, “For”, they say, “who hears us?”
Look at their venomous mouths, tongues like swords, they think no one hears them.
8 But you, Yahweh, laugh at them. You scoff at all the nations.
But you, Lord, laugh at them, you mock all the insolent.
9 Oh, my Strength, I watch for you, for God is my high tower.
My strength, I will sing to you, for God is my sure retreat.
10 My God will go before me with his loving kindness. God will let me look at my enemies in triumph.
My God with his love will meet me, and feast my eyes on my foes.
11 Don’t kill them, or my people may forget. Scatter them by your power, and bring them down, Lord our shield.
Slay them not, lest my people forget, let your hosts keep them roaming and wandering.
12 For the sin of their mouth, and the words of their lips, let them be caught in their pride, for the curses and lies which they utter.
In their sinful speech snare them, O Lord; and may they be trapped in their pride, for the curses and lies that they utter.
13 Consume them in wrath. Consume them, and they will be no more. Let them know that God rules in Jacob, to the ends of the earth. (Selah)
In your wrath make a clean end of them, that people, to the ends of the earth, may know that God rules in Jacob. (Selah)
14 At evening let them return. Let them howl like a dog, and go around the city.
At evening they come, and, howling like dogs, make their round in the city.
15 They shall wander up and down for food, and wait all night if they aren’t satisfied.
They roam about for a feast, and snarl, if they get not their fill.
16 But I will sing of your strength. Yes, I will sing aloud of your loving kindness in the morning. For you have been my high tower, a refuge in the day of my distress.
But I will sing of your might; I will ring out your love in the morning. For to me you have been a sure refuge, a retreat in the day of my trouble.
17 To you, my strength, I will sing praises. For God is my high tower, the God of my mercy.
My strength, I will sing praise to you, for God is my sure retreat, my faithful God.
