A shaggaion of David, which he sang to the LORD concerning Cush, a Benjamite.
A Prayer For God's Deliverance

1O LORD my God, in you do I put my trust: save me from all them that persecute me, and deliver me:

2Lest they tear my soul like a lion, rending it in pieces, while there is none to deliver.

3O LORD my God, if I have done this; if there be iniquity in my hands;

4If I have rewarded evil unto him that was at peace with me; (yea, I have delivered him that without cause is my enemy:)

5Let the enemy persecute my soul, and take it; yea, let him tread down my life upon the earth, and lay my honor in the dust. Selah.

6Arise, O LORD, in your anger, lift up yourself because of the rage of my enemies: and awake for me to the judgment that you have commanded.

7So shall the congregation of the people surround you: for their sakes therefore return you on high.

8The LORD shall judge the people: judge me, O LORD, according to my righteousness, and according to my integrity that is in me.

9Oh let the wickedness of the wicked come to an end; but establish the just: for the righteous God tests the minds and hearts.

10My defense is with God, who saves the upright in heart.

11God judges the righteous, and God is angry with the wicked every day.

12If he turns not, he will whet his sword; he has bent his bow, and made it ready.

13He has also prepared for himself the instruments of death; he makes ready his arrows against the persecutors.

14Behold, he brought forth iniquity, and has conceived mischief, and brought forth falsehood.

15He made a pit, and dug it, and has fallen into the ditch which he made.

16His mischief shall return upon his own head, and his violent dealing shall come down upon his own crown.

17I will praise the LORD according to his righteousness: and will sing praise to the name of the LORD most high.