Psalm 57–59

Psalm 57

PRAISE FOR GOD’S PROTECTION

For the choir director: “Do Not Destroy.” A Miktam of David. When he fled before Saul into the cave.x

1 Be gracious to me, God, be gracious to me,

for I take refuge in you.

I will seek refuge in the shadow of your wings

until danger passes.y

2 I call to God Most High,

to God who fulfills his purpose for me.B,z

3 He reaches down from heaven and saves me,

challenging the one who tramples me.aa

Selah

God sends his faithful love and truth.ab

4 I am surrounded by lions;

I lie down among devouring lions—

people whose teeth are spears and arrows,

whose tongues are sharp swords.ac

5 God, be exalted above the heavens;

let your glory be over the whole earth.ad

6 They prepared a net for my steps;

I was despondent.

They dug a pit ahead of me,

but they fell into it!ae

Selah

7 My heart is confident, God, my heart is confident.

I will sing; I will sing praises.af

8 Wake up, my soul!

Wake up, harp and lyre!

I will wake up the dawn.ag

9 I will praise you, Lord, among the peoples;

I will sing praises to you among the nations.a

10 For your faithful love is as high as the heavens;

your faithfulness reaches the clouds.b

11 God, be exalted above the heavens;c

let your glory be over the whole earth.d

Psalm 58

A CRY AGAINST INJUSTICE

For the choir director: “Do Not Destroy.” A Miktam of David.

1 Do you really speak righteously, you mighty ones?C

Do you judge people fairly?e

2 No, you practice injustice in your hearts;

with your hands you weigh out violence in the land.f

3 The wicked go astray from the womb;

liars wander about from birth.g

4 They have venom like the venom of a snake,

like the deaf cobra that stops up its ears,h

5 that does not listen to the sound of the charmers

who skillfully weave spells.i

6 God, knock the teeth out of their mouths;

Lord, tear out the young lions’ fangs.j

7 May they vanish like water that flows by;

may they aim their blunted arrows.A,k

8 Like a slug that moves along in slime,

like a woman’s miscarried child,

may they not see the sun.l

9 Before your pots can feel the heat of the thorns—

whether green or burning—

he will sweep them away.B,m

10 The righteous one will rejoice

when he sees the retribution;n

he will wash his feet in the blood of the wicked.o

11 Then people will say,

“Yes, there is a reward for the righteous!

There is a God who judges on earth!”p

Psalm 59

GOD OUR STRONGHOLD

For the choir director: “Do Not Destroy.” A Miktam of David. When Saul sent agents to watch the house and kill him.q

1 Rescue me from my enemies, my God;r

protect me from those who rise up against me.s

2 Rescue me from evildoers,

and save me from men of bloodshed.t

3 Because look, Lord, they set an ambush for me.u

Powerful men attack me,

but not because of any sin or rebellion of mine.v

4 For no fault of mine,

they run and take up a position.

Awake to help me, and take notice.w

5 Lord God of Armies, you are the God of Israel.

Rise up to punish all the nations;

do not show favor to any wicked traitors.x

Selah

6 They return at evening, snarling like dogs

and prowling around the city.y

7 Look, they spew from their mouths—

sharp words fromC their lips.z

“For who,” they say, “will hear?”aa

8 But you laugh at them, Lord;

you ridicule all the nations.ab

9 I will keep watch for you, myD strength,

because God is my stronghold.ac

10 My faithful GodA will come to meet me;

God will let me look down on my adversaries.ad

11 Do not kill them; otherwise, my people will forget.

By your power, make them homeless wanderersae

and bring them down,

Lord, our shield.a

12 For the sin of their mouths and the words of their lips,

let them be caught in their pride.

They utter curses and lies.b

13 Consume them in fury;

consume them until they are gone.c

Then people will know throughoutB the earth

that God rules over Jacob.d

Selah

14 And they return at evening, snarling like dogs

and prowling around the city.e

15 They scavenge for food;

they growl if they are not satisfied.f

16 But I will sing of your strength

and will joyfully proclaim

your faithful love in the morning.g

For you have been a stronghold for me,

a refuge in my day of trouble.h

17 To you, my strength, I sing praises,

because God is my stronghold—

my faithful God.i