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Psalm 59

For the choir director: A psalm[a] of David, regarding the time Saul sent soldiers to watch David’s house in order to kill him. To be sung to the tune “Do Not Destroy!”

Rescue me from my enemies, O God.
    Protect me from those who have come to destroy me.
Rescue me from these criminals;
    save me from these murderers.
They have set an ambush for me.
    Fierce enemies are out there waiting, Lord,
    though I have not sinned or offended them.
I have done nothing wrong,
    yet they prepare to attack me.
    Wake up! See what is happening and help me!
O Lord God of Heaven’s Armies, the God of Israel,
    wake up and punish those hostile nations.
    Show no mercy to wicked traitors. Interlude

They come out at night,
    snarling like vicious dogs
    as they prowl the streets.
Listen to the filth that comes from their mouths;
    their words cut like swords.
    “After all, who can hear us?” they sneer.
But Lord, you laugh at them.
    You scoff at all the hostile nations.
You are my strength; I wait for you to rescue me,
    for you, O God, are my fortress.
10 In his unfailing love, my God will stand with me.
    He will let me look down in triumph on all my enemies.

11 Don’t kill them, for my people soon forget such lessons;
    stagger them with your power, and bring them to their knees,
    O Lord our shield.
12 Because of the sinful things they say,
    because of the evil that is on their lips,
let them be captured by their pride,
    their curses, and their lies.
13 Destroy them in your anger!
    Wipe them out completely!
Then the whole world will know
    that God reigns in Israel.[b] Interlude

14 My enemies come out at night,
    snarling like vicious dogs
    as they prowl the streets.
15 They scavenge for food
    but go to sleep unsatisfied.[c]

16 But as for me, I will sing about your power.
    Each morning I will sing with joy about your unfailing love.
For you have been my refuge,
    a place of safety when I am in distress.
17 O my Strength, to you I sing praises,
    for you, O God, are my refuge,
    the God who shows me unfailing love.

Footnotes

  1. 59:Title Hebrew miktam. This may be a literary or musical term.
  2. 59:13 Hebrew in Jacob. See note on 44:4.
  3. 59:15 Or and growl if they don’t get enough.

Psalm 59

For the choir director; al tashcheth; a miktam by David when Saul sent men to watch David’s home and kill him.

Rescue me from my enemies, O my Elohim.
    Protect me from those who attack me.
Rescue me from troublemakers.
    Save me from bloodthirsty people.
        They lie in ambush for me right here!
        Fierce men attack me, O Yahweh,
            but not because of any disobedience,
or any sin, or any guilt on my part.
    They hurry to take positions against me.
    Wake up, and help me; see for yourself.
O Yahweh Elohim Tsebaoth, Elohim of Israel,
    arise to punish all the nations.
    Have no pity on any traitors. Selah

They return in the evening.
    They howl like dogs.
        They prowl the city.

See what pours out of their mouths—
    swords from their lips!
        They think, “Who will hear us?”
O Yahweh, you laugh at them.
    You make fun of all the nations.

O my strength, I watch for you!
    Elohim is my stronghold, my merciful Elohim!

10 Elohim will come to meet me.
    He will let me gloat over those who spy on me.
11 Do not kill them.
    Otherwise, my people may forget.
    Make them wander aimlessly by your power.
    Bring them down, O Adonay, our Magen,
12 because of the sins from their mouths
    and the words on their lips.
    Let them be trapped by their own arrogance
    because they speak curses and lies.
13 Destroy them in your rage.
    Destroy them until not one of them is left.
    Then they will know that Elohim rules Jacob
        to the ends of the earth. Selah

14 They return in the evening.
    They howl like dogs.
        They prowl the city.

15 They wander around to find something to eat.
    If they are not full enough,
        they will stay all night.
16 But I will sing about your strength.
    In the morning I will joyfully sing about your mercy.
        You have been my stronghold
            and a place of safety in times of trouble.

17 O my strength, I will make music to praise you!
    Elohim is my stronghold, my merciful Elohim!