59:1 Deliver me from my enemies, my God!
Protect me1 from those who attack me!2
59:2 Deliver me from evildoers!3
Rescue me from violent men!4
59:3 For look, they wait to ambush me;5
powerful men stalk6 me,
but not because I have rebelled or sinned, O Lord.7
59:4 Though I have done nothing wrong,8 they are anxious to attack.9
Spring into action and help me! Take notice of me!10
59:5 You, O Lord God, the invincible warrior,11 the God of Israel,
rouse yourself and punish12 all the nations!
Have no mercy on any treacherous evildoers! (Selah)
59:6 They return in the evening;
they growl13 like a dog
and prowl around outside14 the city.
59:7 Look, they hurl insults at me
and openly threaten to kill me,15
for they say,16
“Who hears?”
59:8 But you, O Lord, laugh in disgust at them;17
you taunt18 all the nations.
59:9 You are my source of strength! I will wait for you!19
For God is my refuge.20
59:10 The God who loves me will help me;21
God will enable me to triumph over22 my enemies.23
59:11 Do not strike them dead suddenly,
because then my people might forget the lesson.24
Use your power to make them homeless vagabonds and then bring them down,
O sovereign Master who shields us!25
59:12 They speak sinful words.26
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 growl27 like a dog
and prowl around outside28 the city.
59:15 They wander around looking for something to eat;
they refuse to sleep until they are full.29
59:16 As for me, I will sing about your strength;
I will praise your loyal love in the morning.
For you are my refuge30
and my place of shelter when I face trouble.31
59:17 You are my source of strength! I will sing praises to you!32
For God is my refuge,33 the God who loves me.34
Psalm 6035
For the music director; according to the shushan-eduth style;36 a prayer37 of David written to instruct others.38 It was written when he fought against Aram Naharaim and Aram-Zobah. That was when Joab turned back and struck down39 12,000 Edomites40 in the Valley of Salt.41