59 For the musical director: a song[fn] by David written when King Sha’ul (Saul) had sent men to watch David’s house in order to kill him. To be sung to the tune of ‘Don’t destroy’.
1 Rescue me from my enemies, my god.
≈ Protect me from those who want to attack me.
2 Keep me safe from those who do evil,
≈ and save me from the bloodthirsty men.
3 For, see, they wait in ambush to take my life.
Fierce gather themselves together against me,
but not because of my disobedience or my sin, Yahweh.
4 They prepare to rush me even though I’ve done nothing wrong.
Wake up and look, and help me.
5 You, Commander-in-chief Yahweh, the god of Yisrael (Israel),
Take action and punish all the nations.
Don’t be merciful to any wicked people who’ve been treacherous. (Instrumental break.)
6 They return in the evening, growling like dogs
and prowl around the city.
7 Wow, they belch out with their mouths.
≈ They use their lips like daggers
because they say, “Who can hear us?”
8 But Yahweh, you laugh at them—
≈ you mock all the pagan nations.
9 God, my strength, I’ll pay attention to you.
You are my high fortress.
10 My god will meet me with his loyal commitment.
God will allow me to see my enemies defeated.
11 Don’t just kill them, or my people will forget.
Use your power to scatter them and make them fall, my master, our shield.
12 Despite their pride, let them be caught
for the sins of their mouths and the words of their lips,
and for the curses and lies that they express.
13 Eliminate them in your anger
≈ Consume them so that they’ll no longer exist.
Let them know that God rules in Ya’akov (Jacob),
→ and to the ends of the earth. (Instrumental break.)
14 At evening they return,
howling like dogs prowling around the city.
15 They wander around looking for food
and they growl if they’re not satisfied.
16 But I’ll sing about your strength,
≈ and in the morning I’ll sing about your loyal commitment.
because you’ve been my high fortress
≈ and a place of safety at the time of my distress.
17 To you, my strength, I’ll sing praises
because God is my high fortress—the god who demonstrates loyal commitment.
