Psalms 59

Psalm 59#sn Psalm 59. The psalmist calls down judgment on his foreign enemies, whom he compares to ravenous wild dogs.

For the music director; according to the al-tashcheth style;#tn Heb “do not destroy.” Perhaps this refers to a particular style of music, a tune title, or a musical instrument. These words also appear in the superscription to Pss 57-58, 75. a prayer#tn The precise meaning of the Hebrew word מִכְתָּם (miktam), which also appears in the heading to Pss 16, 56-58, 60 is uncertain. HALOT 582-83 s.v. defines it as “inscription.” of David, written when Saul sent men to surround his house and murder him.#tn Heb “when Saul sent and they watched his house in order to kill him.”sn According to the superscription, David wrote this psalm on the occasion when Saul sent assassins to surround David’s house and kill him in the morning (see 1 Sam 19:11). However, the psalm itself mentions foreign enemies (vv. 5, 8). Perhaps these references reflect a later adaptation of an original Davidic psalm.

1Deliver 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, the invincible warrior, 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 a dog 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 in Jacob and to the ends of the earth! (Selah)

14They return in the evening; they growl like a dog 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.