לַמְנַצֵּחַ בִּנְגִינֹת מַשְׂכִּיל לְדָוִד

For the chief musician on stringed instruments, a contemplation by David.

בְּבֹא הַזִּיפִים וַיֹּאמְרוּ לְשָׁאוּל הֲלֹא דָוִד מִסְתַּתֵּר עִמָּנוּ

It was composed when the Zifites came and said to Saul: David is hiding among us, whereupon Saul sent his men to capture him. Warned in advance, however, David managed to escape, a turn of events for which he offers his thanks here.

אֱלֹהִים בְּשִׁמְךָ הוֹשִׁיעֵנִי וּבִגְבוּרָתְךָ תְדִינֵנִי

God, by Your name save me, and vindicate me by Your might.

אֱלֹהִים שְׁמַע תְּפִלָּתִי הַאֲזִינָה לְאִמְרֵי פִי

God, hear my prayer; listen to the words of my mouth.

כִּי זָרִים קָמוּ עָלַי וְעָרִיצִים בִּקְשׁוּ נַפְשִׁי לֹא שָׂמוּ אֱלֹהִים לְנֶגְדָּם סֶלָה

For strangers, people who do not even know me and should have no reason to wish me ill, have risen against me, and violent foes have sought my life. They are acting unjustly toward me, demonstrating that they have not set God before them, Selah.

הִנֵּה אֱלֹהִים עֹזֵר לִי אֲדֹנָי בְּסֹמְכֵי נַפְשִׁי

Behold, God is my helper; the Lord is counted among those who support me.

יָשִׁיב הָרַע לְשֹׁרְרָי בַּאֲמִתְּךָ הַצְמִיתֵם

He will repay evil to my foes. Turning to God, David prays: Destroy them by Your truth.

בִּנְדָבָה אֶזְבְּחָה לָּךְ אוֹדֶה שִּׁמְךָ ה' כִּי טוֹב

I will then bring a freewill sacrifice to You for Your salvation; I will give thanks to Your name, Lord, for it is good.

כִּי מִכָּל צָרָה הִצִּילָנִי וּבְ אֹיְבַי רָאֲתָה עֵינִי

For He delivered me from all trouble, and my eyes have gazed upon the downfall of my enemies.