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(For the music leader. To the tune “Don't Destroy.”[a] A special psalm by David when Saul had David's house watched so that he could kill him.)

A Prayer for Protection

(A) Save me, God! Protect me
    from enemy attacks!
Keep me safe from brutal people
    who want to kill me.

Merciless enemies, Lord,
are hiding and plotting,
    hoping to kill me.
I have not hurt them
    in any way at all.
But they are ready to attack.
Do something! Help me!
    Look at what's happening.
Lord God All-Powerful,
    you are the God of Israel.
Punish the other nations
and don't pity those terrible
    and rebellious people.

My enemies return at evening,
growling like dogs
    roaming the city.
They curse, and their words
    cut like swords,
as they say to themselves,
    “No one can hear us!”

You, Lord, laugh at them
    and sneer at the nations.
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.

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 59 Don't Destroy: See the note at Psalm 57.

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