³ Merciless enemies, Lord,
are hiding and plotting,
    hoping to kill me.
I have not hurt them
    in any way at all.
⁴ But they are ready to attack.
Do something! Help me!
    Look at what’s happening.
⁵ Lord God All-Powerful,
    you are the God of Israel.
Punish the other nations
    and don’t pity those terrible
    and rebellious people.

⁶ My enemies return at evening,
    growling like dogs
    roaming the city.
⁷ They curse and their words
    cut like swords,
    as they say to themselves,
    “No one can hear us!”

⁸ You, Lord, laugh at them
    and sneer at the nations.
⁹     You are my mighty fortress,
    and I depend on you.
¹⁰ You love me and will let me
    see my enemies defeated.
¹¹     Don’t kill them,
    or everyone may forget!
Just use your mighty power
    to make them tremble
    and fall.

You are a shield
    for your people.
¹² My enemies are liars!
    So let them be trapped
    by their boastful lies.
¹³ Get angry and destroy them.
    Leave them in ruin.
Then all the nations will know
    that you rule in Israel.

¹⁴ Those liars return at evening,
    growling like dogs
    roaming the city.
¹⁵ They search for scraps of food,
    and they snarl
    until they are stuffed.

¹⁶ But I will sing about
    your strength, my God,
    and I will celebrate
    because of your love.
You are my fortress,
    my place of protection
    in times of trouble.
¹⁷ I will sing your praises!
    You are my mighty fortress,
    and you love me.