Psalms

¹For 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. Deliver me from my enemies, my God. Protect me from those who attack me.²Deliver me from evildoers. Rescue me from violent men. ³For look, they wait to ambush me; powerful men stalk me, but not because I have rebelled or sinned, O Lord. ⁴Though I have done nothing wrong, they are anxious to attack. Spring into action and help me. Take notice of me.⁵You, O Lord God of Heaven’s Armies, the God of Israel, rouse yourself and punish all the nations. Have no mercy on any treacherous evildoers. (Selah)⁶They return in the evening; they growl like dogs and prowl around outside the city. ⁷Look, they hurl insults at me and openly threaten to kill me, for they say, “Who hears?” ⁸But you, O Lord, laugh in disgust at them; you taunt all the nations. ⁹You are my source of strength. I will wait for you. For God is my refuge. ¹⁰The God who loves me will help me; God will enable me to triumph over my enemies.¹¹Do 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.¹²They speak sinful words. So let them be trapped by their own pride and by the curses and lies they speak. ¹³Angrily wipe them out. Wipe them out so they vanish. Let them know that God rules over Jacob and to the ends of the earth. (Selah)¹⁴They return in the evening; they growl like dogs and prowl around outside the city. ¹⁵They wander around looking for something to eat; they refuse to sleep until they are full. ¹⁶As 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. ¹⁷You are my source of strength. I will sing praises to you. For God is my refuge, the God who loves me.