Psalm 59

New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition

³ Even now they lie in wait for my life;
    the mighty stir up strife against me.
For no transgression or sin of mine, O Lord,^(C)
4     for no fault of mine, they run and make ready.

Rouse yourself, come to my help and see!^(D)
5     You, Lord God of hosts, are God of Israel.
Awake to punish all the nations;
    spare none of those who treacherously plot evil. Selah^(E)

⁶ Each evening they come back
    howling like dogs
    and prowling about the city.^(F)
7 There they are, bellowing with their mouths,
    with sharp words^[a] on their lips,
    for “Who,” they think,^[b] “will hear us?”^(G)

⁸ But you laugh at them, O Lord;
    you hold all the nations in derision.^(H)
9 O my strength, I will watch for you,
    for you, O God, are my fortress.^(I)
10 My God in his steadfast love will meet me;
    my God will let me look in triumph on my enemies.^(J)

¹¹ Do not kill them, or my people may forget;
    make them totter by your power and bring them down,
    O Lord, our shield.^(K)
12 For 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,^(L)
13     consume them in wrath;
    consume them until they are no more.
Then it will be known to the ends of the earth
    that God rules over Jacob. Selah^(M)

¹⁴ Each evening they come back
    howling like dogs
    and prowling about the city.^(N)
15 They roam about for food
    and growl if they do not get their fill.

¹⁶ But I will sing of your might;
    I will sing aloud of your steadfast love in the morning.
For you have been a fortress for me
    and a refuge in the day of my distress.^(O)
17 O my strength, I will sing praises to you,
    for you, O God, are my fortress,
    the God who shows me steadfast love.^(P)