¹ To the chief Musician, Altaschith, Michtam of David; when Saul sent, and they watched the house to kill him. Deliver me from my enemies, O my God: defend me from them that rise up against me.¹²³

1. Altaschith...: or, Destroy not
2. Michtam: or, A golden Psalm
3. defend...: Heb. set me on high

² Deliver me from the workers of iniquity, and save me from bloody men.

³ 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 They run and prepare themselves without my fault: awake to help me, and behold.¹

1. help: Heb. meet

⁵ 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 at evening: they make a noise like a dog, and go about the city.

⁷ Behold, they belch out with their mouth: swords are in their lips: for who, say they, doth hear?

⁸ But thou, O LORD, shalt laugh at them; thou shalt have all the heathen in derision.

⁹ Because of his strength will I wait upon thee: for God is my defence.¹

1. defence: Heb. high place

¹⁰ The God of my mercy shall help me: God shall let me see my desire upon my enemies.¹

1. enemies: Heb. observers

¹¹ Slay them not, lest my people forget: scatter them by thy power; and bring them down, O Lord our shield.

¹² 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 Consume them in wrath, consume them, that they may not be : and let them know that God ruleth in Jacob to the ends of the earth. Selah.

¹⁴ And at evening let them return; and let them make a noise like a dog, and go about the city.

¹⁵ Let them wander up and down for food, and murmur if they are not satisfied.¹²

1. for meat: Heb. to eat
2. and grudge...: or, if they be not satisfied, then they will stay all night

¹⁶ 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 To thee, O my strength, will I sing: for God is my defence, and the God of my mercy.