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Deliver Me From My Enemies

(1 Samuel 20:1-10)

¹ For the choirmaster. To the tune of “Do Not Destroy.” A Miktam of David, when Saul sent men to watch his house to kill him. Deliver me from my enemies, O my God; protect me from those who rise against me.² Deliver me from workers of iniquity, and save me from men of bloodshed.³ See how they lie in wait for me. Fierce men conspire against me for no transgression or sin of my own, O LORD.⁴ For no fault of my own, they move swiftly to attack me. Arise to help me, and take notice.⁵ O LORD God of Hosts, the God of Israel, rise up to punish all the nations; show no mercy to the wicked traitors. Selah⁶ They return in the evening, snarling like dogs and prowling around the city.⁷ See what they spew from their mouths—sharp words from their lips: “For who can hear us?”

⁸ But You, O LORD, laugh at them; You scoff at all the nations.⁹ I will keep watch for You, O my strength; for You, O God, are my fortress.¹⁰ My God of loving devotion will come to meet me; God will let me stare down my foes.¹¹ Do not kill them, or my people will forget. Scatter them by Your power, and bring them down, O Lord, our shield.¹² By the sins of their mouths and the words of their lips, let them be trapped in their pride, in the curses and lies they utter.¹³ Consume them in wrath; consume them till they are no more, so it may be known to the ends of the earth that God rules over Jacob. Selah¹⁴ They return in the evening, snarling like dogs and prowling around the city.¹⁵ They scavenge for food, and growl if they are not satisfied.¹⁶ But I will sing of Your strength and proclaim Your loving devotion in the morning. For You are my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble.¹⁷ To You, O my strength, I sing praises, for You, O God, are my fortress, my God of loving devotion.