Psalm 57–58

Psalm 57a

57:7–11pp—Ps 108:1–5

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.i

1 Have mercy on me, my God, have mercy on me,

for in you I take refuge.j

I will take refuge in the shadow of your wingsk

until the disaster has passed.l

2 I cry out to God Most High,

to God, who vindicates me.m

3 He sends from heaven and saves me,n

rebuking those who hotly pursue me—c o

God sends forth his love and his faithfulness.p

4 I am in the midst of lions;q

I am forced to dwell among ravenous beasts—

men whose teeth are spears and arrows,

whose tongues are sharp swords.r

5 Be exalted, O God, above the heavens;

let your glory be over all the earth.s

6 They spread a net for my feett—

I was bowed downu in distress.

They dug a pitv in my path—

but they have fallen into it themselves.w

7 My heart, O God, is steadfast,

my heart is steadfast;x

I will sing and make music.

8 Awake, my soul!

Awake, harp and lyre!y

I will awaken the dawn.

9 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.z

11 Be exalted, O God, above the heavens;a

let your glory be over all the earth.b

Psalm 58a

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

1 Do you rulers indeed speak justly?c

Do you judge people with equity?

2 No, in your heart you devise injustice,d

and your hands mete out violence on the earth.e

3 Even from birth the wicked go astray;

from the womb they are wayward, spreading lies.

4 Their venom is like the venom of a snake,f

like that of a cobra that has stopped its ears,

5 that will not heedg the tune of the charmer,h

however skillful the enchanter may be.

6 Break the teeth in their mouths, O God;i

Lord, tear out the fangs of those lions!j

7 Let them vanish like water that flows away;k

when they draw the bow, let their arrows fall short.l

8 May they be like a slug that melts away as it moves along,m

like a stillborn childn that never sees the sun.

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

whether they be green or dry—the wicked will be swept away.c p

10 The righteous will be gladq when they are avenged,r

when they dip their feet in the blood of the wicked.s

11 Then people will say,

“Surely the righteous still are rewarded;t

surely there is a God who judges the earth.”u