[1] Save me, God! Protect me from enemy attacks! [2] Keep me safe from brutal people who want to kill me. [3] Merciless enemies, LORD, are hiding and plotting, hoping to kill me. I have not hurt them in any way at all. [4] But they are ready to attack. Do something! Help me! Look at what's happening. [5] LORD God All-Powerful, you are the God of Israel. Punish the other nations and don't pity those terrible and rebellious people. [6] My enemies return at evening, growling like dogs roaming the city. [7] They curse and their words cut like swords, as they say to themselves, "No one can hear us!" [8] You, LORD, laugh at them and sneer at the nations. [9] You are my mighty fortress, and I depend on you. [10] You love me and will let me see my enemies defeated. [11] Don't kill them, or everyone may forget! Just use your mighty power to make them tremble and fall. You are a shield for your people. [12] My enemies are liars! So let them be trapped by their boastful lies. [13] Get angry and destroy them. Leave them in ruin. Then all the nations will know that you rule in Israel. [14] Those liars return at evening, growling like dogs roaming the city. [15] They search for scraps of food, and they snarl until they are stuffed. [16] But I will sing about your strength, my God, and I will celebrate because of your love. You are my fortress, my place of protection in times of trouble. [17] I will sing your praises! You are my mighty fortress, and you love me.
