Psalm 59

Common Metre (8,6,8,6)

Suggested Tunes: 29 Bangor, 135 Stornoway, 59 Evan

1    My God, deliver me from those

            that are mine enemies;

      And do thou me defend from those

            that up against me rise.

2    Do thou deliver me from them

            that work iniquity;

      And give me safety from the men

            of bloody cruelty.

3    For, lo, they for my soul lay wait:

            the mighty do combine

      Against me, Lord; not for my fault,

            nor any sin of mine.

4    They run, and, without fault in me,

            themselves do ready make:

      Awake to meet me with thy help;

            and do thou notice take.

5    Awake therefore, Lord God of hosts,

            thou God of Israel,

      To visit heathen all: spare none

            that wickedly rebel.

6    At ev’ning they go to and fro;

            they make great noise and sound,

      Like to a dog, and often walk

            about the city round.

7    Behold, they belch out with their mouth,

            and in their lips are swords:

      For they do say thus, Who is he

            that now doth hear our words?

8    But thou, O Lord, shalt laugh at them,

            and all the heathen mock.

9    While he’s in pow’r I’ll wait on thee;

            for God is my high rock.

10  He of my mercy that is God

            betimes shall me prevent;

      Upon mine en’mies God shall let

            me see mine heart’s content.

11  Them slay not, lest my folk forget;

            but scatter them abroad

      By thy strong pow’r; and bring them down,

            O thou our shield and God.

12  For their mouth’s sin, and for the words

            that from their lips do fly,

      Let them be taken in their pride;

            because they curse and lie.

13  In wrath consume them, them consume,

            that so they may not be:

      And that in Jacob God doth rule

            to th’ earth’s ends let them see.

14  At ev’ning let thou them return,

            making great noise and sound,

      Like to a dog, and often walk

            about the city round.

15  And let them wander up and down,

            in seeking food to eat;

      And let them grudge when they shall not

            be satisfy’d with meat.

16  But of thy pow’r I’ll sing aloud;

            at morn thy mercy praise:

      For thou to me my refuge wast,

            and tow’r, in troublous days.

17  O God, thou art my strength, I will

            sing praises unto thee;

      For God is my defence, a God

            of mercy unto me.