Psalm 59In Hebrew texts 59:1-17 is numbered 59:2-18.
For the director of music. To the tune of “Do Not Destroy.” Of David. A miktam.Title: Probably a literary or musical term 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.59:5 The Hebrew has Selah (a word of uncertain meaning) here and at the end of verse 13.
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,59:11 Or sovereign
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.
Psalm 59
For the director of music. A miktam of David when Saul had sent men to watch David’s house. Saul sent the men to kill David. To the tune of “Do Not Destroy.”
1God, save me from my enemies.
Keep me safe from people who are attacking me.
2Save me from those who do evil.
Save me from people who want to kill me.
3See how they hide and wait for me!
Lord, angry people plan to harm me,
even though I haven’t hurt them in any way or sinned against them.
4I haven’t done anything wrong to them. But they are ready to attack me.
Rise up and help me! Look at what I’m up against!
5Lord God who rules over all, rise up. God of Israel,
punish all the nations.
Don’t show any mercy to those sinful people
who have turned against me.
6My enemies are like a pack of barking dogs
that come back to the city in the evening.
They prowl around the city.
7Listen to what pours out of their mouths.
The words from their lips are like swords.
They think, “Who can hear us?”
8But you laugh at them, Lord.
You make fun of all those nations.
9You give me strength. I look to you.
God, you are like a fort to me. 10You are my God, and I can depend on you.
God will march out in front of me.
He will let me look down on those who tell lies about me.
11Lord, you are like a shield that keeps us safe.
Don’t kill my enemies all at once.
If you do, my people will forget about it.
Use your power to pull my enemies up by the roots like weeds.
Destroy them.
12They have sinned with their mouths.
Their lips have spoken evil words.
They have cursed me and lied.
Let them be caught in their pride.
13Burn them up in your anger.
Burn them up until there isn’t anything left of them.
Then everyone from one end of the earth to the other will know
that God rules over the people of Jacob.
14My enemies are like a pack of barking dogs
that come back into the city in the evening.
They prowl around the city.
15They wander around looking for food.
They groan if they don’t find something that will satisfy them.
16But I will sing about your strength.
In the morning I will sing about your love.
You are like a fort to me.
You keep me safe in times of trouble.
17You give me strength. I sing praise to you.
God, you are like a fort to me. You are my God, and I can depend on you.
