Deliver Me from My Enemies

(1 Samuel 19:1–24)

For the choirmaster. To the tune of“Do Not Destroy.” A Miktam[fn] of David, when Saul sent men to watch [David’s] house in order to kill him.

Deliver me from my enemies, O my God;

protect me from those who rise against me.

2 

Deliver me from workers of iniquity,

and save me from men of bloodshed.

3 

vvv See how they lie in wait for me.

Fierce men conspire against me

for no transgression [or] sin [of my own], O LORD.

4 

For no fault of my own,

they move swiftly to attack me.

Arise to help me, and take notice.

5 

vvv O LORD God of Hosts, the God of Israel,

rouse Yourself to punish all the nations;

show no mercy to the wicked traitors. Selah

6 

They return in the evening, snarling like dogs

and prowling around the city.

7 

See what they spew from their mouths—

sharp words from their lips:

“For who can hear us?”

8 

But You, O LORD, laugh at them;

You scoff at all the nations.

9 

I will keep watch for You, O my strength,

because [You], O God, are my fortress.

10 

My God of loving devotion will come to meet me;

God will let me stare down my foes.

11 

Do not kill them,

or my people will forget.

Scatter them by Your power,

and bring them down,

O Lord, our shield.

12 

By the sins of their mouths

and the words of their lips,

let them be trapped in their pride,

in the curses and lies they utter.

13 

Consume [them] in wrath;

consume them till they are no more,

so it may be known to the ends of the earth

that God rules over Jacob. Selah

14 

They return in the evening,

snarling like dogs

and prowling around the city.

15 

They scavenge for food,

and growl if they are not satisfied.

16 

But I will sing of Your strength

and proclaim Your loving devotion in the morning.

For You are my fortress

my refuge in times of trouble

17 

To You, O my strength, I sing praises,

for You, O God, are my fortress,

my God of loving devotion.