The Holy Bible – Knox Translation
The Book of Psalms
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Psalm 58
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1
(To the choir-master. Melody: Do not destroy. Of David. A miktam. When Saul had his house watched, so as to put him to death.)
2
O God, deliver me from my enemies, rescue me from their assaults;
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thwart their treacherous designs, disappoint their lust for blood.
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See how they plot against my life, how strong is their confederacy!
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Yet never, Lord, through any fault or offence of mine; unprovoked, they rush to the attack.
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Bestir thyself, come to my side and witness my wrongs. Lord of hosts, God of Israel, awake; a world chastise, and shew the treacherous no mercy.
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See how they come back at nightfall, like yelping dogs, to prowl about the city!
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Tongues that boast, lips that rail, as if none could hear them;
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and all the while thou, Lord, makest light of them, thou, in whose esteem all the nations are as nothing.
10
To thee I look, the God who strengthens me, the God who watches over me;
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my God, and all my hope of mercy.
With that divine aid, may I triumph over my enemies.
With that divine aid, may I triumph over my enemies.
12
Smite them down, my God, before they compass the overthrow of my people; let that power of thine overawe and crush them, my protector, my Master!
13
Down with the guilty tongues, the boastful lips; let their own pride ensnare them, their cursing and their lies.
14
Ruinous, ruinous be thy vengeance, overwhelming them; shew them that there is a God who rules over Jacob, rules over the utmost ends of the earth.
15
Back come they at nightfall, like yelping dogs, and prowl about the city;
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far and wide they will roam in search of their prey, and snarl with rage when they go unfed at last.✻
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And I, ere long, will be proclaiming thy greatness, will be triumphing in the mercy thou hast shewn me, thou, my stronghold and my refuge in my hour of peril.
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To thee I will sing, the God who strengthens me, the God who watches over me, my God, and all my hope of mercy.
