For the music director; according to the al-tashcheth style; 2 a prayer 3 of David, written when Saul sent men to surround his house and murder him. 4
59:1 Deliver me from my enemies, my God!
Protect me 5 from those who attack me! 6
59:2 Deliver me from evildoers! 7
Rescue me from violent men! 8
59:3 For look, they wait to ambush me; 9
powerful men stalk 10 me,
but not because I have rebelled or sinned, O Lord. 11
59:4 Though I have done nothing wrong, 12 they are anxious to attack. 13
Spring into action and help me! Take notice of me! 14
59:5 You, O Lord God, the invincible warrior, 15 the God of Israel,
rouse yourself and punish 16 all the nations!
Have no mercy on any treacherous evildoers! (Selah)
59:6 They return in the evening;
they growl 17 like a dog
and prowl around outside 18 the city.
59:7 Look, they hurl insults at me
and openly threaten to kill me, 19
for they say, 20
“Who hears?”
59:8 But you, O Lord, laugh in disgust at them; 21
you taunt 22 all the nations.
59:9 You are my source of strength! I will wait for you! 23
For God is my refuge. 24
59:10 The God who loves me will help me; 25
God will enable me to triumph over 26 my enemies. 27
59:11 Do not strike them dead suddenly,
because then my people might forget the lesson. 28
Use your power to make them homeless vagabonds and then bring them down,
O Lord who shields us! 29
59:12 They speak sinful words. 30
So let them be trapped by their own pride
and by the curses and lies they speak!
59:13 Angrily wipe them out! Wipe them out so they vanish!
Let them know that God rules
in Jacob and to the ends of the earth! (Selah)
59:14 They return in the evening;
they growl 31 like a dog
and prowl around outside 32 the city.
59:15 They wander around looking for something to eat;
they refuse to sleep until they are full. 33