Commentary on Psalms - Volume 5

To the Chief Musician. Destroy not. Michtam of David. When Saul sent, and they watched the house to kill him

1Deliver me from my enemies, O my God! from those who rise up against me set me on high.

2Deliver me from the workers of iniquity, And from men of bloods save me:

3For lo! they have laid snares for my soul; Gathered together against me have the strong men; Not [for] my sin, nor [for] my wickedness, O Jehovah!

4Without any iniquity of mine they have run and prepared themselves. Awake and come to meet me, and behold.

5And thou, O Jehovah, God of armies! the God of Israel! Awake to visit all the nations; Do not have compassion upon any who transgress wickedly. Selah.

6They will return at evening; They will make a noise like a dog, And go round about the city.

7Behold they will prate with their mouth; Swords are in their lips; “For who,” say they, “will hear?”

8But thou, O Jehovah! shalt laugh at them; Thou shalt hold in derision all the nations.

9His strength with thee I will put in trust; For God is my fortress.

10The God of my mercy shall prevent me; God will make me see my desire upon my enemies.

11Slay them not, lest my people should forget; Make them to wander by thy power; And bring them down, O Lord, our shield!

12The sin of their mouth, the words of their lips: Let them be taken in their pride: of cursing and lying let them speak.

13Consume, in thy fury consume them, that they may be no more; And let men know that God ruleth in Jacob, Even to the ends of the earth. Selah. ³³⁵

14And they will return at evening; They will bark like a dog, And go round about the city.

15They will wander up and down for food; If they be not satisfied they will even stay all night.

16But as for me, I will sing of thy strength, I will praise in the morning thy mercy; For thou hast been a fortress to me, And a refuge in the day of my trouble.

17My strength is with thee, I will sing psalms; For God is my fortress, the God of my mercy.