Psalm 57

For the choir director: A psalm* of David, regarding the time he fled from Saul and went into the cave. To be sung to the tune “Do Not Destroy!”

1 Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy!

I look to you for protection.

I will hide beneath the shadow of your wings

until the danger passes by.

2 I cry out to God Most High,*

to God who will fulfill his purpose for me.

3 He will send help from heaven to rescue me,

disgracing those who hound me.

Interlude

My God will send forth his unfailing love and faithfulness.

4 I am surrounded by fierce lions

who greedily devour human prey—

whose teeth pierce like spears and arrows,

and whose tongues cut like swords.

5 Be exalted, O God, above the highest heavens!

May your glory shine over all the earth.

6 My enemies have set a trap for me.

I am weary from distress.

They have dug a deep pit in my path,

but they themselves have fallen into it.

Interlude

7 My heart is confident in you, O God;

my heart is confident.

No wonder I can sing your praises!

8 Wake up, my heart!

Wake up, O lyre and harp!

I will wake the dawn with my song.

9 I will thank you, Lord, among all the people.

I will sing your praises among the nations.

10 For your unfailing love is as high as the heavens.

Your faithfulness reaches to the clouds.

11 Be exalted, O God, above the highest heavens.

May your glory shine over all the earth.

Psalm 58

For the choir director: A psalm* of David, to be sung to the tune “Do Not Destroy!”

1 Justice—do you rulers* know the meaning of the word?

Do you judge the people fairly?

2 No! You plot injustice in your hearts.

You spread violence throughout the land.

3 These wicked people are born sinners;

even from birth they have lied and gone their own way.

4 They spit venom like deadly snakes;

they are like cobras that refuse to listen,

5 ignoring the tunes of the snake charmers,

no matter how skillfully they play.

6 Break off their fangs, O God!

Smash the jaws of these lions, O Lord!

7 May they disappear like water into thirsty ground.

Make their weapons useless in their hands.*

8 May they be like snails that dissolve into slime,

like a stillborn child who will never see the sun.

9 God will sweep them away, both young and old,

faster than a pot heats over burning thorns.

10 The godly will rejoice when they see injustice avenged.

They will wash their feet in the blood of the wicked.

11 Then at last everyone will say,

“There truly is a reward for those who live for God;

surely there is a God who judges justly here on earth.”

Psalm 59

For the choir director: A psalm* of David, regarding the time Saul sent soldiers to watch David’s house in order to kill him. To be sung to the tune “Do Not Destroy!”

1 Rescue me from my enemies, O God.

Protect me from those who have come to destroy me.

2 Rescue me from these criminals;

save me from these murderers.

3 They have set an ambush for me.

Fierce enemies are out there waiting, Lord,

though I have not sinned or offended them.

4 I have done nothing wrong,

yet they prepare to attack me.

Wake up! See what is happening and help me!

5 O Lord God of Heaven’s Armies, the God of Israel,

wake up and punish those hostile nations.

Show no mercy to wicked traitors.

Interlude

6 They come out at night,

snarling like vicious dogs

as they prowl the streets.

7 Listen to the filth that comes from their mouths;

their words cut like swords.

“After all, who can hear us?” they sneer.

8 But Lord, you laugh at them.

You scoff at all the hostile nations.

9 You are my strength; I wait for you to rescue me,

for you, O God, are my fortress.

10 In his unfailing love, my God will stand with me.

He will let me look down in triumph on all my enemies.

11 Don’t kill them, for my people soon forget such lessons;

stagger them with your power, and bring them to their knees,

O Lord our shield.

12 Because of the sinful things they say,

because of the evil that is on their lips,

let them be captured by their pride,

their curses, and their lies.

13 Destroy them in your anger!

Wipe them out completely!

Then the whole world will know

that God reigns in Israel.*

Interlude

14 My enemies come out at night,

snarling like vicious dogs

as they prowl the streets.

15 They scavenge for food

but go to sleep unsatisfied.*

16 But as for me, I will sing about your power.

Each morning I will sing with joy about your unfailing love.

For you have been my refuge,

a place of safety when I am in distress.

17 O my Strength, to you I sing praises,

for you, O God, are my refuge,

the God who shows me unfailing love.