1 For the leader. Set to "Do Not
Destroy." By David; a mikhtam, when Sha'ul sent men to keep watch on
David's house in order to kill him: My God, rescue me from my enemies! Lift me
up, out of reach of my foes!
2 Rescue me from evildoers, save me
from bloodthirsty men.
3 For there they are, lying in wait to
kill me. Openly they gather themselves against me, and not because I committed
a crime or sinned, ADONAI.
4 For no fault of mine, they run and
prepare. Awaken to help me, and see!
5 You, ADONAI Elohei-Tzva'ot, God of
Isra'el, arouse yourself to punish all the nations; spare none of those wicked
traitors. (Selah)
6 They return at nightfall, snarling
like dogs as they go around the city.
7 Look what pours out of their mouth,
what swords are on their lips, [as they say to themselves,] "No one is
listening, anyway."
8 But you, ADONAI, laugh at them, you
mock all the nations.
9 My Strength, I will watch for you,
for God is my fortress.
10 God, who gives me grace, will come
to me; God will let me gaze in triumph at my foes.
11 Don't kill them, or my people will
forget; instead, by your power, make them wander to and fro; but bring them
down, Adonai our Shield,
12 for the sins their mouths make with
each word from their lips. Let them be trapped by their pride for the curses
and falsehoods they utter.
13 Finish them off in wrath, finish
them off, put an end to them, and let them know to the ends of the earth that
God is Ruler in Ya'akov. (Selah)
14 They return at nightfall, snarling
like dogs as they go around the city.
15 They roam about, looking for food,
prowling all night if they don't get their fill.
16 But as for me, I will sing of your
strength; in the morning I will sing aloud of your grace. For you are my
fortress, a refuge when I am in trouble.
17 My Strength, I will sing praises to
you, for God is my fortress, God, who gives me grace.
