Psalms 57-59

Psalm 57

¹For the choirmaster. To the tune of “Do Not Destroy.” A Miktam of David, when he fled from Saul into the cave. Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy, for in You my soul takes refuge. In the shadow of Your wings I will take shelter until the danger has passed.

²I cry out to God Most High, to God who fulfills His purpose for me.

³He reaches down from heaven and saves me; He rebukes those who trample me. Selah God sends forth His loving devotion and His truth.

⁴My soul is among the lions; I lie down with ravenous beasts— with men whose teeth are spears and arrows, whose tongues are sharp swords.

⁵Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; may Your glory cover all the earth.

⁶They spread a net for my feet; my soul was despondent. They dug a pit before me, but they themselves have fallen into it! Selah

⁷My heart is steadfast, O God, my heart is steadfast. I will sing and make music.

⁸Awake, my glory! Awake, O harp and lyre! I will awaken the dawn.

⁹I will praise You, O Lord, among the nations; I will sing Your praises among the peoples.

¹⁰For Your loving devotion reaches to the heavens, and Your faithfulness to the clouds.

¹¹Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; may Your glory cover all the earth.

Psalm 58

¹For the choirmaster. To the tune of “Do Not Destroy.” A Miktam of David. Do you indeed speak justly, O rulers? Do you judge uprightly, O sons of men?

²No, in your hearts you devise injustice; with your hands you mete out violence on the earth.

³The wicked are estranged from the womb; the liars go astray from birth.

⁴Their venom is like the venom of a snake, like a cobra that shuts its ears,

⁵refusing to hear the tune of the charmer who skillfully weaves his spell.

⁶O God, shatter their teeth in their mouths; O LORD, tear out the fangs of the lions.

⁷May they vanish like water that runs off; when they draw the bow, may their arrows be blunted.

⁸Like a slug that dissolves in its slime, like a woman’s stillborn child, may they never see the sun.

⁹Before your pots can feel the burning thorns— whether green or dry— He will sweep them away.

¹⁰The righteous will rejoice when they see they are avenged; they will wash their feet in the blood of the wicked.

¹¹Then men will say, “There is surely a reward for the righteous! There is surely a God who judges the earth!”

Psalm 59

¹For the choirmaster. To the tune of “Do Not Destroy.” A Miktam 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.

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

³See how they lie in wait for me. Fierce men conspire against me for no transgression or sin of my own, O LORD.

⁴For no fault of my own, they move swiftly to attack me. Arise to help me, and take notice.

⁵O LORD God of Hosts, the God of Israel, rouse Yourself to punish all the nations; show no mercy to the wicked traitors. Selah

⁶They return in the evening, snarling like dogs and prowling around the city.

⁷See what they spew from their mouths— sharp words from their lips: “For who can hear us?”

⁸But You, O LORD, laugh at them; You scoff at all the nations.

⁹I will keep watch for You, O my strength, because You, O God, are my fortress.

¹⁰My God of loving devotion will come to meet me; God will let me stare down my foes.

¹¹Do not kill them, or my people will forget. Scatter them by Your power, and bring them down, O Lord, our shield.

¹²By 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.

¹³Consume 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

¹⁴They return in the evening, snarling like dogs and prowling around the city.

¹⁵They scavenge for food, and growl if they are not satisfied.

¹⁶But 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.

¹⁷To You, O my strength, I sing praises, for You, O God, are my fortress, my God of loving devotion.