1Rescue me from my enemies, O my God. Defend me from those who rise up against me.
2Rescue me from those who do evil, and save me from men of blood.
3Look, they lie in wait for my life. The strong gather together against me. It is not for any wrong I have done, and not for my sin, O LORD.
4I have done nothing wrong, yet they run and get ready. Wake up to help me, and see.
5So you, O LORD God of hosts, the God of Israel, wake up to punish all the nations. Show no mercy to any wicked traitors. Selah.
6They come back at evening. They snarl like a dog and prowl around the city.
7Look, words pour out of their mouths. Swords are in their lips. "For who hears us?" they say.
8But you, O LORD, will laugh at them. You will mock all the nations.
9Because of his strength I will wait for you, for God is my defence.
10The God of my mercy will go before me. God will let me look on my enemies and see what I long for.
11Do not kill them, or my people will forget. Scatter them by your power, and bring them down, O Lord our shield.
12For the sin of their mouth and the words of their lips, let them be trapped in their pride, and for the cursing and the lying that they speak.
13Destroy them in anger, destroy them, so that they are no more. Let them know that God rules in Jacob to the ends of the earth. Selah.
14At evening let them come back. Let them snarl like a dog and prowl around the city.
15Let them wander about looking for food, and growl if they are not filled.
16But I will sing of your power. Yes, I will sing aloud of your mercy in the morning. For you have been my defence and my refuge in the day of my trouble.
17To you, O my strength, I will sing, for God is my defence, and the God of my mercy.