Because of the sinful things they say,
    because of the evil that is on their lips,
let them be captured by their pride,
    their curses, and their lies.
¹³ Destroy them in your anger!
    Wipe them out completely!
Then the whole world will know
    that God reigns in Israel.^[b] Interlude

¹⁴ My enemies come out at night,
    snarling like vicious dogs
    as they prowl the streets.
¹⁵ They scavenge for food
    but go to sleep unsatisfied.^[c]

¹⁶ But as for me, I will sing about your power.
    Each morning I will sing with joy about your unfailing love.
For you have been my refuge,
    a place of safety when I am in distress.
¹⁷ O my Strength, to you I sing praises,
    for you, O God, are my refuge,
    the God who shows me unfailing love. Psalm 59:12-17

How can our pride be used to capture us?

O Lord God of Heaven’s Armies, the God of Israel,
    wake up and punish those hostile nations.
    Show no mercy to wicked traitors. Interlude

⁶ They come out at night,
    snarling like vicious dogs
    as they prowl the streets.
⁷ Listen to the filth that comes from their mouths;
    their words cut like swords.
    “After all, who can hear us?” they sneer.
⁸ But Lord, you laugh at them.
    You scoff at all the hostile nations.
⁹ You are my strength; I wait for you to rescue me,
    for you, O God, are my fortress.
¹⁰ In his unfailing love, my God will stand with me.
    He will let me look down in triumph on all my enemies. Psalm 59:5-11

What does triumph over your enemies look like?

O Lord God of Heaven’s Armies, the God of Israel,
    wake up and punish those hostile nations.
    Show no mercy to wicked traitors. Interlude

⁶ They come out at night,
    snarling like vicious dogs
    as they prowl the streets.
⁷ Listen to the filth that comes from their mouths;
    their words cut like swords.
    “After all, who can hear us?” they sneer.
⁸ But Lord, you laugh at them.
    You scoff at all the hostile nations.
⁹ You are my strength; I wait for you to rescue me,
    for you, O God, are my fortress.
¹⁰ In his unfailing love, my God will stand with me.
    He will let me look down in triumph on all my enemies. Psalm 59:5-11

Describe what it feels like to know God is standing with you.

O Lord God of Heaven’s Armies, the God of Israel,
    wake up and punish those hostile nations.
    Show no mercy to wicked traitors. Interlude

O Lord God of Heaven’s Armies, the God of Israel,
    wake up and punish those hostile nations.
    Show no mercy to wicked traitors. Interlude

⁶ They come out at night,
    snarling like vicious dogs
    as they prowl the streets.
⁷ Listen to the filth that comes from their mouths;
    their words cut like swords.
    “After all, who can hear us?” they sneer.
⁸ But Lord, you laugh at them.
    You scoff at all the hostile nations.
⁹ You are my strength; I wait for you to rescue me,
    for you, O God, are my fortress.
¹⁰ In his unfailing love, my God will stand with me.
    He will let me look down in triumph on all my enemies. Psalm 59:5-11

What is it like to wait for the Lord?

O Lord God of Heaven’s Armies, the God of Israel,
    wake up and punish those hostile nations.
    Show no mercy to wicked traitors. Interlude

⁶ They come out at night,
    snarling like vicious dogs
    as they prowl the streets.
⁷ Listen to the filth that comes from their mouths;
    their words cut like swords.
    “After all, who can hear us?” they sneer.
⁸ But Lord, you laugh at them.
    You scoff at all the hostile nations.
⁹ You are my strength; I wait for you to rescue me,
    for you, O God, are my fortress.
¹⁰ In his unfailing love, my God will stand with me.
    He will let me look down in triumph on all my enemies. Psalm 59:5-11

Why do you think God laughs at the hostile nations? What’s the joke?

O Lord God of Heaven’s Armies, the God of Israel,
    wake up and punish those hostile nations.
    Show no mercy to wicked traitors. Interlude

⁶ They come out at night,
    snarling like vicious dogs
    as they prowl the streets.
⁷ Listen to the filth that comes from their mouths;
    their words cut like swords.
    “After all, who can hear us?” they sneer.
⁸ But Lord, you laugh at them.
    You scoff at all the hostile nations.
⁹ You are my strength; I wait for you to rescue me,
    for you, O God, are my fortress.
¹⁰ In his unfailing love, my God will stand with me.
    He will let me look down in triumph on all my enemies. Psalm 59:6-11

What is the filth that David speaks of in verse 7?

O Lord God of Heaven’s Armies, the God of Israel,
    wake up and punish those hostile nations.
    Show no mercy to wicked traitors. Interlude

⁶ They come out at night,
    snarling like vicious dogs
    as they prowl the streets.
⁷ Listen to the filth that comes from their mouths;
    their words cut like swords.
    “After all, who can hear us?” they sneer.
⁸ But Lord, you laugh at them.
    You scoff at all the hostile nations.
⁹ You are my strength; I wait for you to rescue me,
    for you, O God, are my fortress.
¹⁰ In his unfailing love, my God will stand with me.
    He will let me look down in triumph on all my enemies. Psalm 59:6-11

What must a nation do in order not to be considered hostile towards God?

O Lord God of Heaven’s Armies, the God of Israel,
    wake up and punish those hostile nations.
    Show no mercy to wicked traitors. Interlude

⁶ They come out at night,
    snarling like vicious dogs
    as they prowl the streets.
⁷ Listen to the filth that comes from their mouths;
    their words cut like swords.
    “After all, who can hear us?” they sneer.
⁸ But Lord, you laugh at them.
    You scoff at all the hostile nations.
⁹ You are my strength; I wait for you to rescue me,
    for you, O God, are my fortress.
¹⁰ In his unfailing love, my God will stand with me.
    He will let me look down in triumph on all my enemies. Psalm 59:6-10

What qualifies a nation as hostile in God’s eyes?