Psalm 59

For the director of music. To the tune of “Do Not Destroy.” Of David. A miktam. When Saul had sent men to watch David’s house in order to kill him.

¹Deliver me from my enemies, O God;

be my fortress against those who are attacking me.

²Deliver me from evildoers

and save me from those who are after my blood.

³See how they lie in wait for me!

Fierce men conspire against me

for no offense or sin of mine, Lord.

⁴I have done no wrong, yet they are ready to attack me.

Arise to help me; look on my plight!

⁵You, Lord God Almighty,

you who are the God of Israel,

rouse yourself to punish all the nations;

show no mercy to wicked traitors.

⁶They return at evening,

snarling like dogs,

and prowl about the city.

⁷See what they spew from their mouths—

the words from their lips are sharp as swords,

and they think, “Who can hear us?”

⁸But you laugh at them, Lord;

you scoff at all those nations.

⁹You are my strength, I watch for you;

you, God, are my fortress,

¹⁰my God on whom I can rely.

God will go before me

and will let me gloat over those who slander me.

¹¹But do not kill them, Lord our shield,

or my people will forget.

In your might uproot them

and bring them down.

¹²For the sins of their mouths,

for the words of their lips,

let them be caught in their pride.

For the curses and lies they utter,

¹³consume them in your wrath,

consume them till they are no more.

Then it will be known to the ends of the earth

that God rules over Jacob.

¹⁴They return at evening,

snarling like dogs,

and prowl about the city.

¹⁵They wander about for food

and howl if not satisfied.

¹⁶But I will sing of your strength,

in the morning I will sing of your love;

for you are my fortress,

my refuge in times of trouble.

¹⁷You are my strength, I sing praise to you;

you, God, are my fortress,

my God on whom I can rely.