To the chief Musician, Al-taschith, Michtam of David;
when Saul sent, and they watched the house to kill him.

This psalm was penned by David, when Saul sent messengers to watch his house in order to kill him, 1 Sam. 19. In it, as in the seven immediately preceding, we have, (1.) David’s bitter complaints of his enemies, as wicked, barbarous, malicious, and atheistical, ver. 1-7. (2.) His predictory prayers that God would expose these enemies to contempt and derision; make them standing monuments of his just indignation; deal with them according to their sins; consume them in his wrath; and even render their sin their punishment, ver. 8, 10, 15. (3.) His holy resolutions to wait upon God, till his judgments should be executed upon them; and then to praise him for his protecting power, ver. 9-10, 16-17.

While I sing, let me think of the opposition made to David’s Lord, and of the unrelenting vengeance which hath overtaken his enemies, Jewish and Heathen, and shall overtake his Antichristian and other opposers. While his honours are trampled under foot, let me wait on, and trust in God; that at last I may join in the hallelujahs of his people, when the smoke of his enemies’ torment ascendeth up for ever and ever.

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 satisfied 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 defense, a God
of mercy unto me.