For the music director; according to the al-tashcheth style; a prayer of David, written when he fled from Saul into the cave. Have mercy on me, O God! Have mercy on me! For in you I have taken shelter. In the shadow of your wings I take shelter until trouble passes.

You destroy liars; the Lord despises violent and deceitful people.

You terrified the nations with your battle cry; you destroyed the wicked; you permanently wiped out all memory of them.

Smoke ascended from his nose; fire devoured as it came from his mouth; he hurled down fiery coals.

Do not turn me over to my enemies, for false witnesses who want to destroy me testify against me.

I did not harm them, but they hid a net to catch me and dug a pit to trap me.

Yet because of you we are killed all day long; we are treated like sheep at the slaughtering block.

Surely one sees that even wise people die; fools and spiritually insensitive people all pass away and leave their wealth to others.

Confuse them, O Lord! Frustrate their plans! For I see violence and conflict in the city.

Enemies seek to destroy my life, but they will descend into the depths of the earth.

May their dining table become a trap before them! May it be a snare for that group of friends!

Yes, look! Those far from you die; you destroy everyone who is unfaithful to you.

His raging anger lashed out against them, He sent fury, rage, and trouble as messengers who bring disaster.

He struck down all the firstborn in Egypt, the firstfruits of their reproductive power in the tents of Ham.

(May those who hate the Lord cower in fear before him! May they be permanently humiliated!)

in order to protect him from times of trouble, until the wicked are destroyed.

Cruel rulers are not your allies, those who make oppressive laws.

He destroyed their vines and fig trees, and broke the trees throughout their territory.

The wicked prepare to kill me, yet I concentrate on your rules.

A slanderer will not endure on the earth; calamity will hunt down a violent man and strike him down.