3For look, they lie in wait for my life;
The mighty gather against me,
Not for my transgression nor for my sin, O Lord.
4They run and prepare themselves through no fault of mine.

Awake to help me, and behold!
5You therefore, O Lord God of hosts, the God of Israel,
Awake to punish all the [c]nations;
Do not be merciful to any wicked transgressors. Selah

6At evening they return,
They growl like a dog,
And go all around the city.
7Indeed, they belch with their mouth;
Swords are in their lips;
For they say, “Who hears?”

8But You, O Lord, shall laugh at them;
You shall have all the [d]nations in derision.
9I will wait for You, O You [e]his Strength;
For God is my [f]defense.
10[g]My God of mercy shall come to meet me;
God shall let me see my desire on my enemies.

11Do not slay them, lest my people 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 even be taken in their pride,
And for the cursing and lying which they speak.
13Consume them in wrath, consume them,
That they may not be;
And let them know that God rules in Jacob
To the ends of the earth. Selah

14And at evening they return,
They growl like a dog,
And go all around the city.
15They wander up and down for food,
And [h]howl if they are not satisfied.

16But I will sing of Your power;
Yes, I will sing aloud of Your mercy in the morning;
For You have been my defense
And refuge in the day of my trouble.
17To You, O my Strength, I will sing praises;
For God is my defense,
My God of mercy.