Psalms

The second book of Psalms, song 59, New English Translation and King James Version

Psalm 59

New English Translation

For the music director; according to the al-tashcheth style; a prayer of David, written when Saul sent men to surround his house and murder him.

   1 Deliver me from my enemies, my God! Protect me from those who attack me!
   2 Deliver me from evildoers! Rescue me from violent men!
   3 For look, they wait to ambush me; powerful men stalk me, but not because I have rebelled or sinned, O LORD.
   4 Though I have done nothing wrong, they are anxious to attack. Spring into action and help me! Take notice of me!
   5 You, O LORD God, the invincible warrior, the God of Israel, rouse yourself and punish all the nations! Have no mercy on any treacherous evildoers! (Selah)
   6 They return in the evening; they growl like a dog and prowl around outside the city.
   7 Look, they hurl insults at me and openly threaten to kill me, for they say, "Who hears?"
   8 But you, O LORD, laugh in disgust at them; you taunt all the nations.
   9 You are my source of strength! I will wait for you! For God is my refuge.
   10 The God who loves me will help me; God will enable me to triumph over my enemies.
   11 Do not strike them dead suddenly, because then my people might forget the lesson. Use your power to make them homeless vagabonds and then bring them down, O LORD who shields us!
   12 They speak sinful words. So let them be trapped by their own pride and by the curses and lies they speak!
   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)
   14 They return in the evening; they growl like a dog and prowl around outside the city.
   15 They wander around looking for something to eat; they refuse to sleep until they are full.
   16 As for me, I will sing about your strength; I will praise your loyal love in the morning. For you are my refuge and my place of shelter when I face trouble.
   17 You are my source of strength! I will sing praises to you! For God is my refuge, the God who loves me.

King James Version

To the chief Musician, Al-taschith, Michtam of David; when Saul sent, and they watched the house to kill him.

   1 Deliver me from mine enemies, O my God: defend me from them that rise up against me.
   2 Deliver me from the workers of iniquity, and save me from bloody men.
   3 For, lo, they lie in wait for my soul: the mighty are gathered against me; not for my transgression, nor for my sin, O LORD.
   4 They run and prepare themselves without my fault: awake to help me, and behold.
   5 Thou therefore, O LORD God of hosts, the God of Israel, awake to visit all the heathen: be not merciful to any wicked transgressors. Selah.
   6 They return at evening: they make a noise like a dog, and go round about the city.
   7 Behold, they belch out with their mouth: swords are in their lips: for who, say they, doth hear?
   8 But thou, O LORD, shalt laugh at them; thou shalt have all the heathen in derision.
   9 Because of his strength will I wait upon thee: for God is my defence.
   10 The God of my mercy shall prevent me: God shall let me see my desire upon mine enemies.
   11 Slay them not, lest my people forget: scatter them by thy power; and bring them down, O Lord our shield.
   12 For the sin of their mouth and the words of their lips let them even be taken in their pride: and for cursing and lying which they speak.
   13 Consume them in wrath, consume them, that they may not be: and let them know that God ruleth in Jacob unto the ends of the earth. Selah.
   14 And at evening let them return; and let them make a noise like a dog, and go round about the city.
   15 Let them wander up and down for meat, and grudge if they be not satisfied.
   16 But I will sing of thy power; yea, I will sing aloud of thy mercy in the morning: for thou hast been my defence and refuge in the day of my trouble.
   17 Unto thee, O my strength, will I sing: for God is my defence, and the God of my mercy.