The Message Bible MSG
King James Version KJV
1 My God! Rescue me from my enemies, defend me from these mutineers.
1
Deliver me from mine enemies, O my God: defend me from them that rise up against me.
2 Rescue me from their dirty tricks, save me from their hit men.
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Deliver me from the workers of iniquity, and save me from bloody men.
3 Desperadoes have ganged up on me, they're hiding in ambush for me. I did nothing to deserve this, God,
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For, lo, they lie in wait for my soul: the mighty are gathered against me; not for my transgression, nor for my sin, O LORD.
4 crossed no one, wronged no one. All the same, they're after me, determined to get me.
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They run and prepare themselves without my fault: awake to help me, and behold.
5 You're God, God of angel armies, Israel's God! Get on the job and take care of these pagans, don't be soft on these hard cases.
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Thou therefore, O LORD God of hosts, the God of Israel, awake to visit all the heathen: be not merciful to any wicked transgressors. Selah.
6 They return when the sun goes down, They howl like coyotes, ringing the city.
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They return at evening: they make a noise like a dog, and go round about the city.
7 Then suddenly they're all at the gate, Snarling invective, drawn daggers in their teeth. They think they'll never get caught.
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Behold, they belch out with their mouth: swords are in their lips: for who, say they, doth hear?
8 But you, God, break out laughing; you treat the godless nations like jokes.
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But thou, O LORD, shalt laugh at them; thou shalt have all the heathen in derision.
9 Strong God, I'm watching you do it, I can always count on you.
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Because of his strength will I wait upon thee: for God is my defence.
10 God in dependable love shows up on time, shows me my enemies in ruin.
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The God of my mercy shall prevent me: God shall let me see my desire upon mine enemies.
11 Don't make quick work of them, God, lest my people forget. Bring them down in slow motion, take them apart piece by piece.
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Slay them not, lest my people forget: scatter them by thy power; and bring them down, O Lord our shield.
12 Let all their mean-mouthed arrogance catch up with them, Catch them out and bring them down - every muttered curse - every barefaced lie.
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For the sin of their mouth and the words of their lips let them even be taken in their pride: and for cursing and lying which they speak.
13 Finish them off in fine style! Finish them off for good! Then all the world will see that God rules well in Jacob, everywhere that God's in charge.
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Consume them in wrath, consume them, that they may not be: and let them know that God ruleth in Jacob unto the ends of the earth. Selah.
14 They return when the sun goes down, They howl like coyotes, ringing the city.
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And at evening let them return; and let them make a noise like a dog, and go round about the city.
15 They scavenge for bones, And bite the hand that feeds them.
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Let them wander up and down for meat, and grudge if they be not satisfied.
16 And me? I'm singing your prowess, shouting at cockcrow your largesse, For you've been a safe place for me, a good place to hide.
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But I will sing of thy power; yea, I will sing aloud of thy mercy in the morning: for thou hast been my defence and refuge in the day of my trouble.
17 Strong God, I'm watching you do it, I can always count on you - God, my dependable love.
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Unto thee, O my strength, will I sing: for God is my defence, and the God of my mercy.
Published by permission. Originally published by NavPress in English as THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language copyright 2002 by Eugene Peterson. All rights reserved.
The King James Version is in the public domain.