Psalm 58.   Eripe me de inimicis

Bloodthirsty enemies

The two divísions of this Psalm correspond very well to the two sentiments between which the soul wavers in this Hour: the press of enemies and trust in God.  The temptations of the devil are forcefully presented.

Petition and protestation of innocence

Eripe me de inimícis meis, Deus meus: * et ab insurgéntibus in me líbera me.
2  Eripe me de operántibus iniquitátem: * et de viris sánguinum salva me.
3  Quia ecce cepérunt ánimam meam: * irruérunt in me fortes.
4  Neque iníquitas mea, neque peccátum meum, Dómine: * sine iniquitáte cucúrri, et diréxi.
5  Exsúrge in occúrsum meum, et vide: * et tu, Dómine, Deus virtútum, Deus Israël.
6  Inténde ad visitándas omnes Gentes: * non misereáris ómnibus, qui operántur iniquitátem.

Deliver me from mine enemies, O God; * defend me from them that rise up against me.
2  O deliver me from the wicked doers, * and save me from the blood-thirsty men.
3  For lo, they have captured my soul; * the mighty men are gathered against me.
Neither is it any offence or fault of me, O Lord : * I have run without sin, and have directed my steps.
5  Rise up thou to meet me, and behold : even thou, O Lord, the God of hosts, thou God of Israel.
6  Reach out to visit all the heathen, * and be not merciful unto them that work iniquity.

Enemy activity and the psalmist's recourse

7  Converténtur ad vésperam : et famem patiéntur ut canes: * et circuíbunt civitátem.
8  Ecce loquéntur in ore suo, et gládius in lábiis eórum: * quóniam quis audívit?
9  Et tu, Dómine, deridébis eos: * ad níhilum dedúces omnes Gentes.
10  Fortitúdinem meam ad te custódiam, quia, Deus, suscéptor meus es: * Deus meus, misericórdia ejus prævéniet me.

7  They shall return in the evening, * and suffer hunger like a dog, and go round about the city.
8  Behold, they shall speak with their mouth, and a sword is in their lips; * for who hath heard them?
9  But thou, O Lord, shalt laugh them to scorn, * and thou shalt bring all the heathen to naught.
10  My strength will I ascribe unto thee, for thou art the God of my refuge : * my God, his mercy shall go before me.

Punishment of enemies

11  Deus osténdet mihi super inimícos meos, ne occídas eos: * nequándo obliviscántur pópuli mei.
12  Dispérge illos in virtúte tua: * et depóne eos, protéctor meus, Dómine :
13  Delíctum oris eórum, sermónem labiórum ipsórum: * et comprehendántur in supérbia sua.
14  Et de exsecratióne et mendácio annuntiabúntur in consummatióne: * in ira consummatiónis, et non erunt.
15  Et scient quia Deus dominábitur Jacob: * et fínium terræ.
16  Converténtur ad vésperam : et famem patiéntur ut canes, * et circuíbunt civitátem.
17  Ipsi dispergéntur ad manducándum: * si vero non fúerint saturáti, et murmurábunt.

11  God shall let me see my desire upon mine enemies: slay them not : * lest ever my people forget it.
12  But scatter them abroad in thy power, * and put them down, O Lord our defence.
13  For the sin of their mouth, and for the words of their lips, * they shall be taken in their pride.
14  And for their cursing and lies they shall be talked of when they are consumed : * yea when they are consumed in thy wrath, and shall be no more.
15  And they shall know that it is God that ruleth in Jacob, and unto the ends of the world.
16  And in the evening they shall return, * and suffer hunger like a dog, and go round about the city.
17  They shall be scattered abroad to eat, * and shall grudge if they be not satisfied.

Finale

18  Ego autem cantábo fortitúdinem tuam: * et exsultábo mane misericórdiam tuam.
19  Quia factus es suscéptor meus, * et refúgium meum, in die tribulatiónis meæ.
20  Adjútor meus, tibi psallam, quia, Deus, suscéptor meus es: * Deus meus, misericórdia mea.

18  As for me, I will sing of thy power, * and will praise thy mercy betimes in the morning.
19  For thou hast been mine house of defence, * even my refuge in the day of my trouble.
20  Unto thee, O my strength, will I sing, for thou, O God, art my refuge : * my God and my mercy.