Psalms 59

Deliver me from mine enemies, O my God: defend me from them that rise up against me.

1Save me from my enemies, my God. Keep me safe from the people who attack me.

2Deliver me from the workers of iniquity, and save me from bloody men.

2Save me from people who do evil. Rescue me from men who want to kill.

3For, lo, they lie in wait for my soul: the mighty are gathered against me; not for my transgression, nor for my sin, O LORD.

3Look, they hide and wait to hurt me. Strong men are joining together against me. I have done nothing wrong, LORD.

4They run and prepare themselves without my fault: awake to help me, and behold.

4I have done nothing wrong, but they rush to attack me. Wake up and help me. Come and see.

5Thou therefore, O LORD God of hosts, the God of Israel, awake to visit all the heathen: be not merciful to any wicked transgressors. Selah.

5You are the LORD God who leads heaven's armies. You are the God of Israel. Get up and punish all the nations. Do not go easy on people who do wrong. (Selah)

Note"Selah" is an old Hebrew word found in these songs. No one today knows exactly what it meant. It may have marked a pause in the music.

6They return at evening: they make a noise like a dog, and go round about the city.

6They come back in the evening. They growl like dogs. They prowl around the city.

7Behold, they belch out with their mouth: swords are in their lips: for who, say they, doth hear?

7Look at the ugly words pouring out of their mouths. Their words cut like swords. They say, "Who can hear us?"

8But thou, O LORD, shalt laugh at them; thou shalt have all the heathen in derision.

8But you, LORD, laugh at them. You make fun of all the nations.

9Because of his strength will I wait upon thee: for God is my defence.

9You are my strength, so I will watch and wait for you. God, you keep me safe like a strong wall.

10The God of my mercy shall prevent me: God shall let me see my desire upon mine enemies.

10My God loves me and never stops. He will come out to meet me. God will let me see my enemies beaten.

NoteThe old word "prevent" in verse 10 does not mean "to stop." In 1611 it meant "to go ahead of" or "to come out to meet someone."

11Slay them not, lest my people forget: scatter them by thy power; and bring them down, O Lord our shield.

11Do not kill them, or my people will forget. Scatter them with your power. Bring them down, Lord. You are our shield.

12For the sin of their mouth and the words of their lips let them even be taken in their pride: and for cursing and lying which they speak.

12They sin with their mouths. Let their own proud words catch them. They curse and lie, so let them be trapped.

13Consume them in wrath, consume them, that they may not be: and let them know that God ruleth in Jacob unto the ends of the earth. Selah.

13Destroy them in your anger. Destroy them until they are gone. Then people will know that God rules over Jacob's family, the people of Israel. Let the whole world know it. (Selah)

14And at evening let them return; and let them make a noise like a dog, and go round about the city.

14In the evening they come back. They growl like dogs. They prowl around the city.

15Let them wander up and down for meat, and grudge if they be not satisfied.

15They wander here and there looking for food. They growl when they do not get enough.

NoteIn old English, "meat" meant food of any kind, not just meat from animals.

16But I will sing of thy power; yea, I will sing aloud of thy mercy in the morning: for thou hast been my defence and refuge in the day of my trouble.

16But I will sing about your strength. In the morning I will sing loudly about your love. You have kept me safe. You were my hiding place when I was in trouble.

17Unto thee, O my strength, will I sing: for God is my defence, and the God of my mercy.

17I will sing to you, my strength. God keeps me safe. God loves me and never stops.