Add parallel Print Page Options

Prayer for Rescue from Persecutors.

To the Chief Musician; set to [the tune of] “Do Not Destroy.” A Mikhtam of David. [A record of memorable thoughts of David] when he fled from Saul in the cave.

57 Be gracious to me, O God, be gracious and merciful to me,
For my soul finds shelter and safety in You,
And in the shadow of Your wings I will take refuge and be confidently secure
Until destruction passes by.

I will cry to God Most High,
Who accomplishes all things on my behalf [for He completes my purpose in His plan].

He will send from heaven and save me;
He calls to account him who tramples me down. Selah.
God will send out His lovingkindness and His truth.


My life is among lions;
I must lie among those who breathe out fire—
The sons of men whose teeth are spears and arrows,
And their tongue a sharp sword.

Be exalted above the heavens, O God;
Let Your glory and majesty be over all the earth.

They [a]set a net for my steps;
My very life was bowed down.
They dug a pit before me;
Into the midst of it they themselves have fallen. Selah.


My heart is steadfast, O God, my heart is steadfast and confident!
I will sing, yes, I will sing praises [to You]!

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

I will praise and give thanks to You, O Lord, among the people;
I will sing praises to You among the nations.
10 
For Your faithfulness and lovingkindness are great, reaching to the heavens,
And Your truth to the clouds.
11 
Be exalted above the heavens, O God;
Let Your glory and majesty be over all the earth.

Prayer for the Punishment of the Wicked.

To the Chief Musician; set to [the tune of] “Do Not Destroy.” A Mikhtam of David. [A record of memorable thoughts of David].

58 Do you indeed speak righteousness, O gods (heavenly beings)?
Do you judge fairly, O sons of men?(A)

No, in your heart you devise wrongdoing;
On earth you deal out the violence of your hands.

The wicked are estranged from the womb;
These go astray from birth, speaking lies [even twisted partial truths].

Their poison is like the venom of a serpent;
They are like the deaf horned viper that stops up its ear,

So that it does not listen to the voice of charmers,
Or of the skillful enchanter casting [cunning] spells.


O God, break their teeth in their mouth;
Break out the fangs of the young lions, O Lord.

Let them flow away like water that runs off;
When he aims his arrows, let them be as headless shafts.

Let them be as a snail which melts away (secretes slime) as it goes along,
Like the miscarriage of a woman which never sees the sun.

Before your cooking pots can feel the fire of thorns [burning under them as fuel],
He will sweep them away with a whirlwind, the green and the burning ones alike.

10 
The [unyieldingly] righteous will rejoice when he sees the vengeance [of God];
He will wash his feet in the blood of the wicked.
11 
Men will say, “Surely there is a reward for the righteous;
Surely there is a God who judges on the earth.”

Prayer for Rescue from Enemies.

To the Chief Musician; set to [the tune of] “Do Not Destroy.” A Mikhtam of David, [a record of memorable thoughts] when Saul sent men to watch his house in order to kill him.

59 Deliver me from my enemies, O my God;
Set me securely on an inaccessibly high place away from those who rise up against me.

Deliver me from those who practice wrongdoing,
And save me from bloodthirsty men.

Look! They lie in wait for my life;
Fierce and powerful men [are uniting together to] launch an attack against me,
Not for my wrongdoing nor for any sin of mine, O Lord.

They run and set themselves against me though there is no guilt in me;
Stir Yourself to meet and help me, and see [what they are doing]!

You, O Lord God of hosts, the God of Israel,
Arise to punish all the nations;
Spare no one and do not be merciful to any who treacherously plot evil. Selah.

They return at evening, they howl and snarl like dogs,
And go [prowling] around the city.

Look how they belch out [insults] with their mouths;
Swords [of sarcasm, ridicule, slander, and lies] are in their lips,
For they say, “Who hears us?”

But You, O Lord, will laugh at them [in scorn];
You scoff at and deride all the nations.


O [God] my strength, I will watch for You;
For God is my stronghold [my refuge, my protector, my high tower].
10 
My God in His [steadfast] lovingkindness will meet me;
God will let me look triumphantly on my enemies [who lie in wait for me].
11 
Do not kill them, or my people will forget;
Scatter them and make them wander [endlessly] back and forth by Your power, and bring them down,
O Lord our shield!
12 
For the sin of their mouths and the words of their lips,
Let them even be trapped in their pride,
And on account of the curses and lies which they tell.
13 
Destroy them in wrath, destroy them so that they may be no more;
Let them know that God rules over Jacob (Israel)
To the ends of the earth. Selah.
14 
They return at evening, they howl and snarl like dogs,
And go [prowling] around the city.
15 
They wander around for food [to devour]
And growl all night if they are not satisfied.

16 
But as for me, I will sing of Your mighty strength and power;
Yes, I will sing joyfully of Your lovingkindness in the morning;
For You have been my stronghold
And a refuge in the day of my distress.
17 
To You, O [God] my strength, I will sing praises;
For God is my stronghold [my refuge, my protector, my high tower], the God who shows me [steadfast] lovingkindness.

Lament over Defeat in Battle, and Prayer for Help.

To the Chief Musician; set to [the tune of] “The Lily of the Testimony.” A Mikhtam of David [intended to record memorable thoughts and] to teach; when he struggled with the Arameans of Mesopotamia and the Arameans of Zobah, and when Joab returned and struck twelve thousand Edomites in the Valley of Salt.

60 O God, You have rejected us and cast us off. You have broken [down our defenses and scattered] us;
You have been angry; O restore us and turn again to us.

You have made the land quake, You have split it open;
Heal its rifts, for it shakes and totters.

You have made Your people experience hardship;
You have given us wine to drink that makes us stagger and fall.

You have set up a banner for those who fear You [with awe-inspired reverence and submissive wonder—a banner to shield them from attack],
A banner that may be displayed because of the truth. Selah.

That Your beloved ones may be rescued,
Save with Your right hand and answer us.


God has spoken in His holiness [in His promises]:
“I will rejoice, I will divide [the land of] Shechem and measure out the Valley of Succoth [west to east].

“Gilead is Mine, and Manasseh is Mine;
Ephraim is My helmet;
Judah is My scepter.

“Moab is My [b]washbowl;
Over Edom I shall throw My shoe [in triumph];
Over Philistia I raise the shout [of victory].”


Who will bring me into the besieged city [of Petra]?
Who will lead me to Edom?
10 
Have You not rejected us, O God?
And will You not go out with our armies?
11 
Give us help against the enemy,
For the help of man is worthless (ineffectual, without purpose).
12 
Through God we will have victory,
For He will trample down our enemies.

Confidence in God’s Protection.

To the Chief Musician; on stringed instruments. A Psalm of David.

61 Hear my cry, O God;
Listen to my prayer.

From the end of the earth I call to You, when my heart is overwhelmed and weak;
Lead me to the rock that is higher than I [a rock that is too high to reach without Your help].

For You have been a shelter and a refuge for me,
A strong tower against the enemy.

Let me dwell in Your tent forever;
Let me take refuge in the shelter of Your wings. Selah.


For You have heard my vows, O God;
You have given me the inheritance of those who fear Your name [with reverence].

You will prolong the king’s life [adding days upon days];
His years will be like many generations.

He will sit enthroned forever before [the face of] God;
Appoint lovingkindness and truth to watch over and preserve him.

So I will sing praise to Your name forever,
Paying my vows day by day.

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 57:6 Or spread.
  2. Psalm 60:8 I.e. the household pot used for washing the feet.

Psalm 57[a](A)

For the director of music. To the tune of “Do Not Destroy.” Of David. A miktam.[b] When he had fled from Saul into the cave.(B)

Have mercy on me, my God, have mercy on me,
    for in you I take refuge.(C)
I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings(D)
    until the disaster has passed.(E)

I cry out to God Most High,
    to God, who vindicates me.(F)
He sends from heaven and saves me,(G)
    rebuking those who hotly pursue me—[c](H)
    God sends forth his love and his faithfulness.(I)

I am in the midst of lions;(J)
    I am forced to dwell among ravenous beasts—
men whose teeth are spears and arrows,
    whose tongues are sharp swords.(K)

Be exalted, O God, above the heavens;
    let your glory be over all the earth.(L)

They spread a net for my feet(M)
    I was bowed down(N) in distress.
They dug a pit(O) in my path—
    but they have fallen into it themselves.(P)

My heart, O God, is steadfast,
    my heart is steadfast;(Q)
    I will sing and make music.
Awake, my soul!
    Awake, harp and lyre!(R)
    I will awaken the dawn.

I will praise you, Lord, among the nations;
    I will sing of you among the peoples.
10 For great is your love, reaching to the heavens;
    your faithfulness reaches to the skies.(S)

11 Be exalted, O God, above the heavens;(T)
    let your glory be over all the earth.(U)

Psalm 58[d]

For the director of music. To the tune of “Do Not Destroy.” Of David. A miktam.[e]

Do you rulers indeed speak justly?(V)
    Do you judge people with equity?
No, in your heart you devise injustice,(W)
    and your hands mete out violence on the earth.(X)

Even from birth the wicked go astray;
    from the womb they are wayward, spreading lies.
Their venom is like the venom of a snake,(Y)
    like that of a cobra that has stopped its ears,
that will not heed(Z) the tune of the charmer,(AA)
    however skillful the enchanter may be.

Break the teeth in their mouths, O God;(AB)
    Lord, tear out the fangs of those lions!(AC)
Let them vanish like water that flows away;(AD)
    when they draw the bow, let their arrows fall short.(AE)
May they be like a slug that melts away as it moves along,(AF)
    like a stillborn child(AG) that never sees the sun.

Before your pots can feel the heat of the thorns(AH)
    whether they be green or dry—the wicked will be swept away.[f](AI)
10 The righteous will be glad(AJ) when they are avenged,(AK)
    when they dip their feet in the blood of the wicked.(AL)
11 Then people will say,
    “Surely the righteous still are rewarded;(AM)
    surely there is a God who judges the earth.”(AN)

Psalm 59[g]

For the director of music. To the tune of “Do Not Destroy.” Of David. A miktam.[h] When Saul had sent men to watch David’s house(AO) in order to kill him.

Deliver me from my enemies, O God;(AP)
    be my fortress against those who are attacking me.(AQ)
Deliver me from evildoers(AR)
    and save me from those who are after my blood.(AS)

See how they lie in wait for me!
    Fierce men conspire(AT) against me
    for no offense or sin of mine, Lord.
I have done no wrong,(AU) yet they are ready to attack me.(AV)
    Arise to help me; look on my plight!(AW)
You, Lord God Almighty,
    you who are the God of Israel,(AX)
rouse yourself(AY) to punish all the nations;(AZ)
    show no mercy to wicked traitors.[i](BA)

They return at evening,
    snarling like dogs,(BB)
    and prowl about the city.
See what they spew from their mouths(BC)
    the words from their lips are sharp as swords,(BD)
    and they think, “Who can hear us?”(BE)
But you laugh at them, Lord;(BF)
    you scoff at all those nations.(BG)

You are my strength,(BH) I watch for you;
    you, God, are my fortress,(BI)
10     my God on whom I can rely.

God will go before me
    and will let me gloat over those who slander me.
11 But do not kill them, Lord our shield,[j](BJ)
    or my people will forget.(BK)
In your might uproot them
    and bring them down.(BL)
12 For the sins of their mouths,(BM)
    for the words of their lips,(BN)
    let them be caught in their pride.(BO)
For the curses and lies they utter,
13     consume them in your wrath,
    consume them till they are no more.(BP)
Then it will be known to the ends of the earth
    that God rules over Jacob.(BQ)

14 They return at evening,
    snarling like dogs,
    and prowl about the city.
15 They wander about for food(BR)
    and howl if not satisfied.
16 But I will sing(BS) of your strength,(BT)
    in the morning(BU) I will sing of your love;(BV)
for you are my fortress,(BW)
    my refuge in times of trouble.(BX)

17 You are my strength, I sing praise to you;
    you, God, are my fortress,
    my God on whom I can rely.(BY)

Psalm 60[k](BZ)

For the director of music. To the tune of “The Lily of the Covenant.” A miktam[l] of David. For teaching. When he fought Aram Naharaim[m] and Aram Zobah,[n] and when Joab returned and struck down twelve thousand Edomites in the Valley of Salt.(CA)

You have rejected us,(CB) God, and burst upon us;
    you have been angry(CC)—now restore us!(CD)
You have shaken the land(CE) and torn it open;
    mend its fractures,(CF) for it is quaking.
You have shown your people desperate times;(CG)
    you have given us wine that makes us stagger.(CH)
But for those who fear you, you have raised a banner(CI)
    to be unfurled against the bow.[o]

Save us and help us with your right hand,(CJ)
    that those you love(CK) may be delivered.
God has spoken from his sanctuary:
    “In triumph I will parcel out Shechem(CL)
    and measure off the Valley of Sukkoth.(CM)
Gilead(CN) is mine, and Manasseh is mine;
    Ephraim(CO) is my helmet,
    Judah(CP) is my scepter.(CQ)
Moab is my washbasin,
    on Edom I toss my sandal;
    over Philistia I shout in triumph.(CR)

Who will bring me to the fortified city?
    Who will lead me to Edom?
10 Is it not you, God, you who have now rejected us
    and no longer go out with our armies?(CS)
11 Give us aid against the enemy,
    for human help is worthless.(CT)
12 With God we will gain the victory,
    and he will trample down our enemies.(CU)

Psalm 61[p]

For the director of music. With stringed instruments. Of David.

Hear my cry, O God;(CV)
    listen to my prayer.(CW)

From the ends of the earth I call to you,
    I call as my heart grows faint;(CX)
    lead me to the rock(CY) that is higher than I.
For you have been my refuge,(CZ)
    a strong tower against the foe.(DA)

I long to dwell(DB) in your tent forever
    and take refuge in the shelter of your wings.[q](DC)
For you, God, have heard my vows;(DD)
    you have given me the heritage of those who fear your name.(DE)

Increase the days of the king’s life,(DF)
    his years for many generations.(DG)
May he be enthroned in God’s presence forever;(DH)
    appoint your love and faithfulness to protect him.(DI)

Then I will ever sing in praise of your name(DJ)
    and fulfill my vows day after day.(DK)

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 57:1 In Hebrew texts 57:1-11 is numbered 57:2-12.
  2. Psalm 57:1 Title: Probably a literary or musical term
  3. Psalm 57:3 The Hebrew has Selah (a word of uncertain meaning) here and at the end of verse 6.
  4. Psalm 58:1 In Hebrew texts 58:1-11 is numbered 58:2-12.
  5. Psalm 58:1 Title: Probably a literary or musical term
  6. Psalm 58:9 The meaning of the Hebrew for this verse is uncertain.
  7. Psalm 59:1 In Hebrew texts 59:1-17 is numbered 59:2-18.
  8. Psalm 59:1 Title: Probably a literary or musical term
  9. Psalm 59:5 The Hebrew has Selah (a word of uncertain meaning) here and at the end of verse 13.
  10. Psalm 59:11 Or sovereign
  11. Psalm 60:1 In Hebrew texts 60:1-12 is numbered 60:3-14.
  12. Psalm 60:1 Title: Probably a literary or musical term
  13. Psalm 60:1 Title: That is, Arameans of Northwest Mesopotamia
  14. Psalm 60:1 Title: That is, Arameans of central Syria
  15. Psalm 60:4 The Hebrew has Selah (a word of uncertain meaning) here.
  16. Psalm 61:1 In Hebrew texts 61:1-8 is numbered 61:2-9.
  17. Psalm 61:4 The Hebrew has Selah (a word of uncertain meaning) here.