Psalms 59

God Our Stronghold

For the choir director: "Do Not Destroy." A Miktam of David. When Saul sent agents to watch the house and kill him. # 59:title 1Sm 19:11

1 Rescue me from my enemies, my God;  * 59:1 Ps 143:9

protect me from those who rise up against me.  * 59:1 2Sm 22:18; Ps 18:17; 91:14

2 Rescue me from evildoers,

and save me from men of bloodshed.  * 59:2 Ps 5:6; 17:7

3 Because look, Lord, they set an ambush for me.  * 59:3 Pr 1:11,18

Powerful men attack me,

but not because of any sin or rebellion of mine.  * 59:3 1Sm 20:1; 24:11

4 For no fault of mine,

they run and take up a position.

Awake to help me, and take notice.  * 59:4 Ps 7:3–4; 69:4

5 Lord God of Armies, you are the God of Israel.

Rise up to punish all the nations;

do not show favor to any wicked traitors.  * 59:5 Jr 18:23Selah

6 They return at evening, snarling like dogs

and prowling around the city.  * 59:6 Ps 22:16

7 Look, they spew from their mouths —

sharp words from  * 59:7 Lit swords are on  their lips.  * 59:7 Ps 52:2; 57:4; 64:3

"For who," they say, "will hear? "  * 59:7 Ps 73:11

8 But you laugh at them, Lord;

you ridicule all the nations.  * 59:8 Ps 2:4; 37:13

9 I will keep watch for you, my  * 59:9 Some Hb mss, LXX, Vg, Tg; other Hb mss read his  strength,

because God is my stronghold.  * 59:9 Ps 28:8; Jr 16:19

10 My faithful God  * 59:10 Alt Hb tradition reads My God in his faithful love will come to meet me;

God will let me look down on my adversaries.  * 59:10 Ps 54:7

11 Do not kill them; otherwise, my people will forget.

By your power, make them homeless wanderers  * 59:11 Hs 9:17

and bring them down,

Lord, our shield.  * 59:11 Gn 15:1; Dt 33:29; 2Sm 22:3,31; Ps 3:3; 5:12; 18:2; 28:7; 119:114

12 For the sin of their mouths and the words of their lips,

let them be caught in their pride.

They utter curses and lies.  * 59:12 Ps 10:7; Pr 12:13

13 Consume them in fury;

consume them until they are gone.  * 59:13 Ps 104:35

Then people will know throughout  * 59:13 Lit know to the ends of  the earth

that God rules over Jacob.  * 59:13 Ps 83:18Selah

14 And they return at evening, snarling like dogs

and prowling around the city.  * 59:14 Ps 22:16

15 They scavenge for food;

they growl if they are not satisfied.  * 59:15 Jb 15:23; Ps 109:10

16 But I will sing of your strength

and will joyfully proclaim

your faithful love in the morning.  * 59:16 Ps 5:3; 88:13; 92:2

For you have been a stronghold for me,

a refuge in my day of trouble.  * 59:16 Is 25:4; Nah 1:7

17 To you, my strength, I sing praises,

because God is my stronghold —

my faithful God.  * 59:17 Ps 28:8; Jr 16:19