Deliver Me from My Enemies
Study note
David asks God to rescue him from enemies who have lined up against him, even though he has done nothing wrong. He calls on God to wake up and see what is happening.
1 Pull me away from my enemies, my God. Lift me up out of reach of those who are rising against me. Deliver me from mine enemies, O my God: defend me from them that rise up against me.
2 Rescue me from people who do evil, and save me from those who want blood. Deliver me from the workers of iniquity, and save me from bloody men.
3 Look — they are setting an ambush for me! Fierce people are conspiring against me, Lord, and I have done nothing wrong. I am not guilty of anything. 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 Even though I have done nothing to deserve it, they rush to get into position against me. Wake up and come see for yourself! Help me! They run and prepare themselves without my fault: awake to help me, and behold.
5 Lord God of heaven's armies, God of Israel — rise up and punish every one of these nations. Show zero mercy to wicked traitors. Selah. 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.
Howling Dogs
Study note
David's enemies return every evening, howling like dogs and prowling around the city. They pour out threats from their mouths. But God laughs at them.
6 They come slinking back every evening, growling like dogs, prowling all through the city. They return at evening: they make a noise like a dog, and go round about the city.
7 Listen to what pours out of their mouths — their words are sharp as swords. "After all," they say, "who is going to hear us?" Behold, they belch out with their mouth: swords are in their lips: for who, say they, doth hear?
8 But you, Lord, laugh at them. You look down and scoff at every one of these nations. But thou, O LORD, shalt laugh at them; thou shalt have all the heathen in derision.
9 You are my strength — I am watching for you, because God is my safe fortress. Because of his strength will I wait upon thee: for God is my defence.
10 My God will meet me with his loyal love. God will let me look down on those who were out to get me. The God of my mercy shall prevent me: God shall let me see my desire upon mine enemies.
God Is My Strength
Study note
David asks God to scatter his enemies so that his people will not forget God's power. Despite the enemies who return like howling dogs, David will sing of God's strength and faithful love every morning.
11 Don't kill them right away, or my people might forget the lesson. Use your power to scatter them and bring them low, Lord, you who are our shield. Slay them not, lest my people forget: scatter them by thy power; and bring them down, O Lord our shield.
12 Every word out of their mouths is sin. Let them get trapped by their own pride. Let the curses and lies they speak be their downfall. 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 with your fury. Consume them until nothing is left. Then the whole world will know that God rules over Jacob and reaches to the ends of the earth. Selah. Consume them in wrath, consume them, that they may not be: and let them know that God ruleth in Jacob unto the ends of the earth. Selah.
14 They slink back every evening, growling like dogs, prowling through the city. And at evening let them return; and let them make a noise like a dog, and go round about the city.
15 They roam around scrounging for food. If they don't find enough, they howl all night. Let them wander up and down for meat, and grudge if they be not satisfied.
16 But I will sing about your strength. When morning comes, I will sing with joy about your loyal love, because you have been my fortress and my safe place to run to when trouble came. 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 I will sing praises to you, my strength, because God is my fortress — the God who shows me loyal, never-ending love. Unto thee, O my strength, will I sing: for God is my defence, and the God of my mercy.