Psalm 59: Deliver Me From Mine Enemies
A night-time plea for deliverance from enemies compared to prowling dogs.
Psalm 59 pleads for deliverance from 'workers of iniquity' and 'bloody men' who gather against David 'not for my transgression, nor for my sin,' a fresh threat following the corrupt judges of Psalms 58. Twice the enemies are pictured returning at evening, making 'a noise like a dog' around the city.
Deliver me from my enemies, O my God. Set me on high from those who rise up against me.
Deliver me from the workers of iniquity, and save me from the bloodthirsty men.
For, lo, they lie in wait for my soul. The mighty gather themselves together against me, not for my transgression, nor for my sin, O Jehovah.
They run and prepare themselves without my fault. Awake thou to help me, and behold.
Even thou, O Jehovah God of hosts, the God of Israel, arise to visit all the nations. Be not merciful to any wicked transgressors. Selah.
They return at evening. They howl like a dog, and go round about the city.
Behold, they belch out with their mouth. Swords are in their lips, for they say, Who hears?
But thou, O Jehovah, will laugh at them. Thou will have all the nations in derision.
O my strength, I will give heed to thee, for God is my high tower.
My God with his loving kindness will meet me. God will let me look upon my enemies.
Kill them not, lest my people forget. Scatter them by thy power, and bring them down, O Lord our shield,
for 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.
Consume them in wrath, consume them, so that they shall be no more. And let them know that God rules in Jacob, to the ends of the earth. Selah.
And at evening let them return, let them howl like a dog, and go round about the city.
They shall wander up and down for food, and tarry all night if they be not satisfied.
But I will sing of thy strength. Yea, I will sing aloud of thy loving kindness in the morning. For thou have been my high tower, and a refuge in the day of my distress.
To thee, O my strength, I will sing praises. For God is my high tower, the God of my mercy.