Deliver Me from My Enemies
(1 Samuel 19:1–24)

For the choirmaster. To the tune of “Do Not Destroy.” A Miktama of David, when Saul sent men to watch David’s house in order to kill him.

1Deliver me from my enemies, O my God;

protect me from those who rise against me.

2Deliver me from workers of iniquity,

and save me from men of bloodshed.

3See how they lie in wait for me.

Fierce men conspire against me

for no transgression or sin of my own, O LORD.

4For no fault of my own,

they move swiftly to attack me.

Arise to help me, and take notice.

5O LORD God of Hosts, the God of Israel,

rouse Yourself to punish all the nations;

show no mercy to the wicked traitors.

Selah

6They return in the evening, snarling like dogs

and prowling around the city.

7See what they spew from their mouths—

sharp words from their lips:

“For who can hear us?”

8But You, O LORD, laugh at them;

You scoff at all the nations.

9I will keep watch for You, O my strength,

because You, O God, are my fortress.

10My God of loving devotion will come to meet me;

God will let me stare down my foes.

11Do not kill them,

or my people will forget.

Scatter them by Your power,

and bring them down,

O Lord, our shield.

12By the sins of their mouths

and the words of their lips,

let them be trapped in their pride,

in the curses and lies they utter.

13Consume them in wrath;

consume them till they are no more,

so it may be known to the ends of the earth

that God rules over Jacob.

Selah

14They return in the evening,

snarling like dogs

and prowling around the city.

15They scavenge for food,

and growl if they are not satisfied.

16But I will sing of Your strength

and proclaim Your loving devotion in the morning.

For You are my fortress,

my refuge in times of trouble.

17To You, O my strength, I sing praises,

for You, O God, are my fortress,

my God of loving devotion.