Psalm 56-60

Psalm 56In Hebrew texts 56:1-13 is numbered 56:2-14. 1For the director of music. To the tune of “A Dove on Distant Oaks.” Of David. A miktam. Title: Probably a literary or musical term When the Philistines had seized him in Gath. Be merciful to me, my God, for my enemies are in hot pursuit; all day long they press their attack.

2My adversaries pursue me all day long; in their pride many are attacking me.

3When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.

4In God, whose word I praise— in God I trust and am not afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?

5All day long they twist my words; all their schemes are for my ruin.

6They conspire, they lurk, they watch my steps, hoping to take my life.

7Because of their wickedness do not Probable reading of the original Hebrew text; Masoretic Text does not have do not. let them escape; in your anger, God, bring the nations down.

8Record my misery; list my tears on your scroll Or misery; / put my tears in your wineskin — are they not in your record?

9Then my enemies will turn back when I call for help. By this I will know that God is for me.

10In God, whose word I praise, in the LORD, whose word I praise—

11in God I trust and am not afraid. What can man do to me?

12I am under vows to you, my God; I will present my thank offerings to you. 13For you have delivered me from death and my feet from stumbling, that I may walk before God in the light of life.

Psalm 57In Hebrew texts 57:1-11 is numbered 57:2-12. 1For the director of music. To the tune of “Do Not Destroy.” Of David. A miktam. Title: Probably a literary or musical term When he had fled from Saul into the cave. Have mercy on me, my God, have mercy on me, for in you I take refuge. I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings until the disaster has passed.

2I cry out to God Most High, to God, who vindicates me.

3He sends from heaven and saves me, rebuking those who hotly pursue me— The Hebrew has Selah (a word of uncertain meaning) here and at the end of verse 6. God sends forth his love and his faithfulness.

4I am in the midst of lions; I am forced to dwell among ravenous beasts— men whose teeth are spears and arrows, whose tongues are sharp swords.

5Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; let your glory be over all the earth.

6They spread a net for my feet— I was bowed down in distress. They dug a pit in my path— but they have fallen into it themselves.

7My heart, O God, is steadfast, my heart is steadfast; I will sing and make music.

8Awake, my soul! Awake, harp and lyre! I will awaken the dawn.

9I will praise you, Lord, among the nations; I will sing of you among the peoples.

10For great is your love, reaching to the heavens; your faithfulness reaches to the skies. 11Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; let your glory be over all the earth.

Psalm 58In Hebrew texts 58:1-11 is numbered 58:2-12. 1For the director of music. To the tune of “Do Not Destroy.” Of David. A miktam. Title: Probably a literary or musical term Do you rulers indeed speak justly? Do you judge people with equity?

2No, in your heart you devise injustice, and your hands mete out violence on the earth.

3Even from birth the wicked go astray; from the womb they are wayward, spreading lies.

4Their venom is like the venom of a snake, like that of a cobra that has stopped its ears,

5that will not heed the tune of the charmer, however skillful the enchanter may be.

6Break the teeth in their mouths, O God; LORD, tear out the fangs of those lions!

7Let them vanish like water that flows away; when they draw the bow, let their arrows fall short.

8May they be like a slug that melts away as it moves along, like a stillborn child that never sees the sun.

9Before your pots can feel the heat of the thorns— whether they be green or dry—the wicked will be swept away. The meaning of the Hebrew for this verse is uncertain.

10The righteous will be glad when they are avenged, when they dip their feet in the blood of the wicked. 11Then people will say, “Surely the righteous still are rewarded; surely there is a God who judges the earth.”

Psalm 59In Hebrew texts 59:1-17 is numbered 59:2-18. 1For the director of music. To the tune of “Do Not Destroy.” Of David. A miktam. Title: Probably a literary or musical term When Saul had sent men to watch David’s house in order to kill him. Deliver me from my enemies, O God; be my fortress against those who are attacking me.

2Deliver me from evildoers and save me from those who are after my blood.

3See how they lie in wait for me! Fierce men conspire against me for no offense or sin of mine, LORD .

4I have done no wrong, yet they are ready to attack me. Arise to help me; look on my plight!

5You, LORD God Almighty, you who are the God of Israel, rouse yourself to punish all the nations; show no mercy to wicked traitors. The Hebrew has Selah (a word of uncertain meaning) here and at the end of verse 13.

6They return at evening, snarling like dogs, and prowl about the city.

7See what they spew from their mouths— the words from their lips are sharp as swords, and they think, “Who can hear us?”

8But you laugh at them, LORD ; you scoff at all those nations.

9You are my strength, I watch for you; you, God, are my fortress,

10my God on whom I can rely. God will go before me and will let me gloat over those who slander me.

11But do not kill them, Lord our shield, Or sovereign or my people will forget. In your might uproot them and bring them down.

12For the sins of their mouths, for the words of their lips, let them be caught in their pride. For the curses and lies they utter,

13consume them in your wrath, consume them till they are no more. Then it will be known to the ends of the earth that God rules over Jacob.

14They return at evening, snarling like dogs, and prowl about the city.

15They wander about for food and howl if not satisfied.

16But I will sing of your strength, in the morning I will sing of your love; for you are my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble. 17You are my strength, I sing praise to you; you, God, are my fortress, my God on whom I can rely.

Psalm 60In Hebrew texts 60:1-12 is numbered 60:3-14. 1For the director of music. To the tune of “The Lily of the Covenant.” A miktam Title: Probably a literary or musical term of David. For teaching. When he fought Aram Naharaim Title: That is, Arameans of Northwest Mesopotamia and Aram Zobah, Title: That is, Arameans of central Syria and when Joab returned and struck down twelve thousand Edomites in the Valley of Salt. You have rejected us, God, and burst upon us; you have been angry—now restore us!

2You have shaken the land and torn it open; mend its fractures, for it is quaking.

3You have shown your people desperate times; you have given us wine that makes us stagger.

4But for those who fear you, you have raised a banner to be unfurled against the bow. The Hebrew has Selah (a word of uncertain meaning) here.

5Save us and help us with your right hand, that those you love may be delivered.

6God has spoken from his sanctuary: “In triumph I will parcel out Shechem and measure off the Valley of Sukkoth.

7Gilead is mine, and Manasseh is mine; Ephraim is my helmet, Judah is my scepter.

8Moab is my washbasin, on Edom I toss my sandal; over Philistia I shout in triumph.”

9Who will bring me to the fortified city? Who will lead me to Edom?

10Is it not you, God, you who have now rejected us and no longer go out with our armies?

11Give us aid against the enemy, for human help is worthless. 12With God we will gain the victory, and he will trample down our enemies.