For the music director: to the tune “Do Not Destroy”, a miktam of David, when Saul sent men to watch David’s house to kill him.

Rescue me from my enemies, my God!

Lift me high up,

far away from those who rise up against me.

Deliver me from those who do evil.

Rescue me from those who thirst for blood.

Look – they lie in wait for me.

Powerful men conspire against me

– not because of any transgression

or sin I committed, Adonai.

I’ve done nothing wrong

yet they run to set up traps for me.

Wake up!

Come to my aid!

Look!

For you are Adonai,

the Ruler of heavenly armies, the God of Israel!

Rise up to punish the nations.

Show no mercy to wicked traitors.

Selah

At evening they return,

snarling like a dog,

and prowl around the city.

See what their mouths spew,

with words like swords in their lips,

saying “After all, who is listening?”

But You, Adonai, laugh at them.

You ridicule all the nations.

I watch for You, O my strength,

because God is my fortress.

God will go before me in lovingkindness.

God will let me gloat over my foes.

But don’t kill them, or my people will forget.

Instead, shake them

and bring them down

with Your power,

O Adonai our shield.

Their mouth’s sin is their lip’s words.

Let them be caught in their pride,

for uttering curses and lies.

Devour them in rage,

gobble them completely up.

Then let it be known

to the ends of the Earth

that God rules over Jacob.

Selah

At evening they return,

snarling like a dog,

and prowl around the city,

scavenging for food.

If they are not satisfied they stay up until dawn.

But as for me, I sing of Your strength!

In the morning, I sing loudly of Your lovingkindness.

For You have been my stronghold,

my refuge in times of trouble.

To You, I sing praises, O my strength,

because God is my fortress

– my God of merciful compassion.