To the chief Musician, Al-taschith, Michtam of David; when Saul sent, and they watched the house to kill him.

8,6,8,6

^1My God, deliver me from those

that are mine enemies;

And do thou me defend from those

that up against me rise.

^2Do thou deliver me from them

that work iniquity;

And give me safety from the men

of bloody cruelty.

^3For, lo, they for my soul lay wait:

the mighty do combine

Against me, Lord; not for my fault,

nor any sin of mine.

^4They run, and, without fault in me,

themselves do ready make:

Awake to meet me with thy help;

and do thou notice take.

^5Awake therefore, Lord God of hosts,

thou God of Israel,

To visit heathen all: spare none

that wickedly rebel.

^6At ev'ning they go to and fro;

they make great noise and sound,

Like to a dog, and often walk

about the city round.

^7Behold, they belch out with their mouth,

and in their lips are swords:

For they do say thus, Who is he

that now doth hear our words?

^8But thou, O Lord, shalt laugh at them,

and all the heathen mock.

^9While he's in pow'r I'll wait on thee;

for God is my high rock.

^10He of my mercy that is God

betimes shall me prevent;

Upon mine en'mies God shall let

me see mine heart's content.

^11Them slay not, lest my folk forget;

but scatter them abroad

By thy strong pow'r; and bring them down,

O thou our shield and God.

^12For their mouth's sin, and for the words

that from their lips do fly,

Let them be taken in their pride;

because they curse and lie.

^13In wrath consume them, them consume,

that so they may not be:

And that in Jacob God doth rule

to th' earth's ends let them see.

^14At ev'ning let thou them return,

making great noise and sound,

Like to a dog, and often walk

about the city round.

^15And let them wander up and down,

in seeking food to eat;

And let them grudge when they shall not

be satisfy'd with meat.

^16But of thy pow'r I'll sing aloud;

at morn thy mercy praise:

For thou to me my refuge wast,

and tow'r, in troublous days.

^17O God, thou art my strength, I will

sing praises unto thee;

For God is my defence, a God

of mercy unto me.