Psalms 59

1 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. Deliver me from my enemies, O my God; protect me from those who rise against me.

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

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

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

3 See how they lie in wait for me. Fierce men conspire against me for no transgression or sin of my own, O LORD.

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

4 For no fault of my own, they move swiftly to attack me. Arise to help me, and take notice.

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

5 O LORD God of Hosts, the God of Israel, rouse Yourself to punish all the nations; show no mercy to the wicked traitors. Selah

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

6 They return in the evening, snarling like dogs and prowling around the city.

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

7 See what they spew from their mouths—sharp words from their lips: “For who can hear us?”

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

8 But You, O LORD, laugh at them; You scoff at all the nations.

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

9 I will keep watch for You, O my strength, because You, O God, are my fortress.

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

10 My God of loving devotion will come to meet me; God will let me stare down my foes.

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

11 Do not kill them, or my people will forget. Scatter them by Your power, and bring them down, O Lord, our shield.

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

12 By the sins of their mouths and the words of their lips, let them be trapped in their pride, in the curses and lies they utter.

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.

13 Consume them in wrath; consume them till they are no more, so it may be known to the ends of the earth that God rules over Jacob. Selah

13 Consume 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.

14 They return in the evening, snarling like dogs and prowling around the city.

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

15 They scavenge for food, and growl if they are not satisfied.

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

16 But I will sing of Your strength and proclaim Your loving devotion in the morning. For You are my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble.

16 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 To You, O my strength, I sing praises, for You, O God, are my fortress, my God of loving devotion.

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