1To the choirmaster: according to Do Not Destroy. A Miktam[1] of David, when Saul sent men to watch his house in order to kill him. Deliver me from my enemies, O my God; protect me from those who rise up against me; (1Sa 19:11; Ps 16:1; Ps 17:7; Ps 18:48; Ps 20:1; Ps 57:1; Ps 143:9)2deliver me from those who work evil, and save me from bloodthirsty men. (Ps 5:6; Ps 94:4)3For behold, they lie in wait for my life; fierce men stir up strife against me. For no transgression or sin of mine, O Lord, (1Sa 24:11; Ps 7:3; Ps 10:9; Ps 56:6; Ps 69:4)4for no fault of mine, they run and make ready. Awake, come to meet me, and see! (Ps 35:23)5You, Lord God of hosts, are God of Israel. Rouse yourself to punish all the nations; spare none of those who treacherously plot evil. (Ps 80:4; Ps 84:8)6Each evening they come back, howling like dogs and prowling about the city. (Ps 22:16)7There they are, bellowing with their mouths with swords in their lips— for “Who,” they think,[2] “will hear us?” (Job 22:13; Ps 57:4; Ps 94:4; Pr 15:2; Pr 15:28)8But you, O Lord, laugh at them; you hold all the nations in derision. (Ps 2:4)9O my Strength, I will watch for you, for you, O God, are my fortress. (Ps 9:9; Ps 59:16)10My God in his steadfast love[3] will meet me; God will let me look in triumph on my enemies. (Ps 21:3; Ps 54:7; Ps 59:17)11Kill them not, lest my people forget; make them totter[4] by your power and bring them down, O Lord, our shield! (Ps 3:3; Ps 55:23)12For the sin of their mouths, the words of their lips, let them be trapped in their pride. For the cursing and lies that they utter, (Pr 12:13)13consume them in wrath; consume them till they are no more, that they may know that God rules over Jacob to the ends of the earth. (Ps 7:9; Ps 22:27; Ps 83:18)14Each evening they come back, howling like dogs and prowling about the city. (Ps 22:16)15They wander about for food and growl if they do not get their fill. (Job 15:23; Ps 109:10)16But I will sing of your strength; I will sing aloud of your steadfast love in the morning. For you have been to me a fortress and a refuge in the day of my distress. (2Sa 22:3; Ps 18:6; Ps 59:9)17O my Strength, I will sing praises to you, for you, O God, are my fortress, the God who shows me steadfast love. (Ps 59:10; Ps 59:16)