To the chief musician Altaschith, Michtam of David: when Saul sent, and they watched the house to kill him.
1 O GOD from them deliver me
that are mine enemies:
set thou me up on high from them
that up against me rise.
2 Deliver me from them that work
grievous-iniquity:
and be a saviour unto me
from men that be bloody.
3 For lo, they for my soul lay wait;
the strong causeless combine
against me, not for my crime, Lord,
not any sin of mine.
4 Without iniquity in me
they run, and ready make
themselves, do thou behold, also
unto my help awake.
5 Lord God of host, thou Israel’s God,
rise to visit therefore
all heathens; who sin wilfully,
to them shew grace no more.
6 At ev’ning they return, and like
to dogs a noise do make;
and so about the city round
a compass they do take.
7 Behold they belch out with their mouths,
within their lips swords are:
for who is he (do these men say)
which us at all doth hear.
8 But thou o Lord, at them wilt laugh,
and heathens all wilt mock.
9 And for his strength. I’ll wait on thee
for God is my high Rock.
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10 God of my mercy manifold
with good shall prevent me:
and my desire upon my foes
the Lord will let me see.
11 Slay them not, lest my folk forget:
but scatter them abroad
by thy strong-power; and bring them down,
who art our shield o God.
12 For their mouths sin, and their lips words,
and in their pride them take:
and for their cursing, and lying
which in their speech they make.
13 Consume in wrath, consume and let
them be no more; that they
may know that God in Jacob rules,
to th’ ends of th’ earth. Selah.
14 And at ev’ning let them return,
and like dogs a noise make;
and so about the city round
a compass let them take.
15 And let them wander up and down
seeking what they may eat,
and if they be not satisfied,
then let them grudge thereat,
16 But I will sing thy power; and shout
i’th morning thy kindness:
for thou my tower and refuge art
in day of my distress.
17 Thou art my strength, and unto thee,
sing psalms of praise will I:
for God is mine high tower, he is
the God of my mercy.