Psalms 57; Psalms 58; Psalms 59

1 Have pity on me, O God. Have pity on me, because my soul takes refuge in you. I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings until destructive storms pass by.

2 I call to God Most High, to the God who does everything for me.

3 He sends his help from heaven and saves me. He disgraces the one who is harassing me. Selah God sends his mercy and his truth!

4 My soul is surrounded by lions. I must lie down with man-eating lions. Their teeth are spears and arrows. Their tongues are sharp swords.

5 May you be honored above the heavens, O God. Let your glory extend over the whole earth.

6 [My enemies] spread out a net to catch me. (My soul is bowed down.) They dug a pit to trap me, but then they fell into it. Selah

7 My heart is confident, O God. My heart is confident. I want to sing and make music.

8 Wake up, my soul! Wake up, harp and lyre! I want to wake up at dawn.

9 I want to give thanks to you among the people, O Lord. I want to make music to praise you among the nations

10 because your mercy is as high as the heavens. Your truth reaches the skies.

11 May you be honored above the heavens, O God. Let your glory extend over the whole earth.

1 Do you rulers really give fair verdicts? Do you judge Adam's descendants fairly?

2 No, you invent new crimes on earth, and your hands spread violence.

3 [Even] inside the womb wicked people are strangers [to God]. From their birth liars go astray.

4 They have poisonous venom like snakes. They are like a deaf cobra that shuts its ears

5 so that it cannot hear the voice of a snake charmer or of anyone trained to cast spells.

6 O God, knock the teeth out of their mouths. Break the young lions' teeth, O LORD.

7 Let them disappear like water that drains away. When they aim their bows, let their arrows miss the target.

8 Let them become like a snail that leaves behind a slimy trail or like a stillborn child who never sees the sun.

9 Let [God] sweep them away faster than a cooking pot is heated by burning twigs.

10 Righteous people will rejoice when they see [God] take revenge. They will wash their feet in the blood of wicked people.

11 Then people will say, "Righteous people certainly have a reward. There is a God who judges on earth."

1 Rescue me from my enemies, O my God. Protect me from those who attack me.

2 Rescue me from troublemakers. Save me from bloodthirsty people.

3 They lie in ambush for me right here! Fierce men attack me, O LORD, but not because of any disobedience,

4 or any sin, or any guilt on my part. They hurry to take positions against me. Wake up, and help me; see [for yourself].

5 O LORD God of Armies, God of Israel, arise to punish all the nations. Have no pity on any traitors. Selah

6 They return in the evening. They howl like dogs. They prowl the city.

7 See what pours out of their mouths-- swords from their lips! [They think,] "Who will hear us?"

8 O LORD, you laugh at them. You make fun of all the nations.

9 O my strength, I watch for you! God is my stronghold, my merciful God!

10 God will come to meet me. He will let me gloat over those who spy on me.

11 Do not kill them. Otherwise, my people may forget. Make them wander aimlessly by your power. Bring them down, O Lord, our shield,

12 [because of] the sins from their mouths and the words on their lips. Let them be trapped by their own arrogance because they speak curses and lies.

13 Destroy them in your rage. Destroy them until not one of them is left. Then they will know that God rules Jacob to the ends of the earth. Selah

14 They return in the evening. They howl like dogs. They prowl the city.

15 They wander around to find something to eat. If they are not full enough, they will stay all night.

16 But I will sing about your strength. In the morning I will joyfully sing about your mercy. You have been my stronghold and a place of safety in times of trouble.

17 O my strength, I will make music to praise you! God is my stronghold, my merciful God!