1 Protect and save me, O my God,
from those who seek my life;
and set me high, secure, above
the rising tide of strife.

2 The workers of iniquity
against me lie in wait;
though I am innocent, O LORD,
they gather in their hate.

3 Now see their wickedness, O LORD;
come to my help, I plead.
LORD God of hosts, O Israel's God,
rise, help me in my need.

4 My enemies with deadly rage
renew their fierce attack.
They think the LORD will not regard,
but you will turn them back.

5 O God, my strength, on you I wait;
to you for help I flee.
My God with mercy will defend
his own triumphantly.

6 O Lord our shield, let wickedness
and pride be put to shame.
Then all will know that you do rule,
and all will fear your name.

7 Like dogs that prowl the city streets
my foes slink back at night.
They would devour my life like food,
but God will win the fight.

8 When all the night of woe is past
and morning dawns at length,
then I will praise you, loving God,
my refuge and my strength.

A prayer for deliverance from the fierce attacks of powerful and treacherous enemies.

Scripture References:
st. 1 =vv. 1-2
st. 2 = vv. 3-4a
st. 3 = vv. 4b-5
st. 4 = vv. 6-8
st. 5 =vv. 9-10
st. 6 = vv. 11-13
st. 7 =vv. 14-15, 16b
st. 8 = vv. 16-17

Like snarling dogs, the psalmist's enemies prowl the city at night and "spew out swords from their lips" (v. 7). Under such threat the psalmist turns to the LORD for protection (st. 1), declaring personal innocence, describing the unwarranted hatred of these enemies (st. 2), and pleading for God's help (st. 3). These enemies blindly disregard God, but the LORD "will turn them back" (st. 4). The psalmist professes reliance on God's sure help (st. 5) and asks God to confront the enemies' wickedness with his sovereign power (st. 6). Even though the enemies "slink back at night," the psalmist knows God will defeat them (st. 7) and promises to praise the LORD "in the morning" (v. 16), confident that the night of woe will give way to the dawn of God's relief (st. 8).

In the first part of this psalm (st. 1-5) we sing a prayer for deliverance, while in the second part (st. 6-8) we express assurance that the LORD will deliver. The versification (altered) is from the 1912 Psalter.

Liturgical Use:
In situations of distress and persecution; or by Christians who sing this prayer on behalf of others in severe distress.

--Psalter Hymnal Handbook