59 is an important Psalm for anyone who is being bullied. Read it in various translations and write your own version.


Psalm 59: Safe in the Tower

(in God’s voice)


I will deliver you from your enemies.
I will save you from all that rises up against you
I will protect you from all that cries for your blood.

Even now they lie in wait for you
stirring up strife
voices howling derision, critical, accusing,
sharp words, stabs of shame, whispers of guilt
encircling you, prowling your mind.             

Why do you listen to them?
Why do you open the gate to them?

Me, I just laugh at them!
They are yapping puppies, mewing kittens, just hungry dogs.

Be strong, for I am your strength.
Be alert, for I watch out for you
Be safe, for I protect you around.
Be at peace, for I love you now, before and always.

Come in, rest in my fortress, my defended tower.
Let me draw you by the hand to the innermost room
where you can no longer hear the voices of blame
where the bed is soft, candles are lit
where I will love you in every way
and in the morning you will rise renewed
with a song on your lips.

For I am your strength,
I am your refuge,
I am your steadfast love.

Psalm 59: The pack of dogs
 

Help! My enemies are after me!
They hide and wait for me to walk past
and then they jump out and surround me.
Just like a pack of dogs,
drooling as they prepare to bite
yowling and howling to frighten me
nipping at my ankles.
They want me to run so they can chase me
but I stand my ground
for you are with me, Lord God.
I can hear you laughing at them.
My enemies think they are laughing at me
but really the joke is on them!
I stand strong and look them in the eye.
Let them curse and lie all they like –
what is it to me!?
My song is of God’s powerful love
No one can stop me singing.
My strength is in the Lord my God
my refuge and my fortress.
 

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Note on the photo:
An ancient-and-modern defended tower, Bamyan province, Afghanistan. Photo by Chris Purdie