1Rescue me from my enemies, God! Protect me from those who are attacking me!

2Rescue me from these evil people! Save me from these murderers!

3See how they're lying in wait to kill me! Powerful men are gathered against me, Lord, even though I have not sinned or done anything wrong. ¹⁷⁹

4Even though I'm not guilty they hurry to prepare an attack on me. Please stand up, come and help me, and see what's going on.

5You are God, the Lord Almighty, God of Israel. Stand up, and punish all the nations. Don't have any mercy on these evil traitors. Selah.

6In the evening they return, snarling like dogs as they roam around the city.

7See what evil talk comes pouring out of their mouths! Words sharp as swords, for they say to themselves, ¹⁸⁰“Who can hear us?”

8But you, Lord, you laugh at them; you pour scorn on all the nations.

9You are my strength! I will look to you, God, for you are the one who protects me.

10In his trustworthy love, God will come and save me. He will show me how my enemies are defeated.

11Don't kill them right away, otherwise my people will quickly forget what you have done. ¹⁸¹By your power make them stagger around and then fall down, Lord our protection.

12Let them be caught out by the evil things they say, the words they proudly speak—brought down by their curses and the lies they tell!

13Destroy them in your anger! Destroy them completely! Then everyone will know that God rules in Israel! ¹⁸²

14In the evening they return, snarling like dogs as they roam around the city.

15They wander around, looking for things to eat, and howl when they're not satisfied.

16But I will sing of your strength; in the morning I will sing for joy about your trustworthy love. For you have been my protection; my place of safety in my time of trouble.

17You are my strength, I sing praises to you, for you are the one who protects me—the God who shows me his trustworthy love!