Israel's prayer book and ours — praise, lament, and trust for every season of the soul.
1[To the chief Musician, Altaschith, Michtam of David; when Saul sent, and they watched the house to kill him.] Deliver me from mine enemies, O my God: defend me from them that rise up against me. Altaschith...: or, Destroy notMichtam: or, A golden Psalmdefend...: Heb. set me on high2Deliver me from the workers of iniquity, and save me from bloody men.3For, lo, they lie in wait for my soul: the mighty are gathered against me; not for my transgression, nor for my sin, O LORD.4They run and prepare themselves without my fault: awake to help me, and behold. help: Heb. meet5Thou therefore, O LORD God of hosts, the God of Israel, awake to visit all the heathen: be not merciful to any wicked transgressors. Selah.6They return at evening: they make a noise like a dog, and go round about the city.7Behold, they belch out with their mouth: swords are in their lips: for who, say they, doth hear?8But thou, O LORD, shalt laugh at them; thou shalt have all the heathen in derision.9Because of his strength will I wait upon thee: for God is my defence. defence: Heb. high place10The God of my mercy shall prevent me: God shall let me see my desire upon mine enemies. enemies: Heb. observers11Slay them not, lest my people forget: scatter them by thy power; and bring them down, O Lord our shield.12For 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.13Consume them in wrath, consume them, that they may not be: and let them know that God ruleth in Jacob unto the ends of the earth. Selah.14And at evening let them return; and let them make a noise like a dog, and go round about the city.15Let them wander up and down for meat, and grudge if they be not satisfied. for meat: Heb. to eatand grudge...: or, if they be not satisfied, then they will stay all night16But I will sing of thy power; yea, I will sing aloud of thy mercy in the morning: for thou hast been my defence and refuge in the day of my trouble.17Unto thee, O my strength, will I sing: for God is my defence, and the God of my mercy.