(For the music leader. To the tune “Don't Destroy.” A special psalm by David when Saul had David's house watched so that he could kill him.)
A Prayer for Protection
1 Save me, God! Protect me
from enemy attacks!
2 Keep me safe from brutal people
who want to kill me.
3 Merciless enemies, Lord,
are hiding and plotting,
hoping to kill me.
I have not hurt them
in any way at all.
4 But they are ready to attack.
Do something! Help me!
Look at what's happening.
5 Lord God All-Powerful,
you are the God of Israel.
Punish the other nations
and don't pity those terrible
and rebellious people.
6 My enemies return at evening,
growling like dogs
roaming the city.
7 They curse, and their words
cut like swords,
as they say to themselves,
“No one can hear us!”
8 You, Lord, laugh at them
and sneer at the nations.
9 You are my mighty fortress,
and I depend on you.
10 You love me and will let me
see my enemies defeated.
11 Don't kill them,
or everyone may forget!
Just use your mighty power
to make them tremble
and fall.
You are a shield
for your people.
12 My enemies are liars!
So let them be trapped
by their boastful lies.
13 Get angry and destroy them.
Leave them in ruin.
Then all the nations will know
that you rule in Israel.
14 Those liars return at evening,
growling like dogs
roaming the city.
15 They search for scraps of food,
and they snarl
until they are stuffed.
16 But I will sing about
your strength, my God,
and I will celebrate
because of your love.
You are my fortress,
my place of protection
in times of trouble.
17 I will sing your praises!
You are my mighty fortress,
and you love me.
1 To him that excelleth. Destroy not. A Psalme of David on Michtam. When Saul sent and they did watch the house to kill him. O my God, deliuer mee from mine enemies: defend me from them that rise vp against me. 2 Deliuer me from the wicked doers, and saue me from the bloody men. 3 For loe, they haue layd waite for my soule: the mightie men are gathered against me, not for mine offence, nor for my sinne, O Lord. 4 They runne and prepare themselues without a fault on my part: arise therefore to assist me, and beholde. 5 Euen thou, O Lord God of hostes, O God of Israel awake to visit all the heathen, and be not merciful vnto all that transgresse maliciously. Selah. 6 They goe to and from in the euening: they barke like dogs, and goe about the citie. 7 Behold, they brag in their talke, and swords are in their lips: for, Who, say they, doeth heare? 8 But thou, O Lord, shalt haue them in derision, and thou shalt laugh at all the heathen. 9 He is strong: but I will waite vpon thee: for God is my defence. 10 My mercifull God will preuent me: God wil let me see my desire vpon mine enemies. 11 Slay them not, least my people forget it: but scatter them abroad by thy power, and put them downe, O Lord our shield, 12 For the sinne of their mouth, and the words of their lips: and let them be taken in their pride, euen for their periurie and lies, that they speake. 13 Consume them in thy wrath: consume them that they be no more: and let them knowe that God ruleth in Iaakob, euen vnto the ends of the world. Selah. 14 And in the euening they shall go to and from, and barke like dogs, and go about the citie. 15 They shall runne here and there for meate: and surely they shall not be satisfied, though they tary all night. 16 But I wil sing of thy power, and will prayse thy mercy in the morning: for thou hast bene my defence and refuge in the day of my trouble. 17 Vnto thee, O my Strength, wil I sing: for God is my defence, and my mercifull God.