To the chief Musician upon Shushan-῾edut, A Mikhtam of David, to teach;

For the conductor, [to be played] upon shushan-eduth, a michtam, of David, to teach [the people wisdom].

when he strove with Aram-naharayim and with Aram-Żova, and Yo᾽av returned, and smote twelve thousand of Edom in the valley of salt.

When he fought with Aram Naharayim and Aram Tzovah, and Yoav returned and smote Edom in Gei Melach, twelve thousand —

O God, Thou hast cast us off, Thou hast shattered us, Thou hast been angry; O turn Thyself to us again.

[When Edom was defeated by him, David saw prophetically that Edom would rule harshly over Israel, and he prayed:] O G d, [(in the time of the judges,)] You forsook us, You breached us, You were wrathful to us — Restore [Your favor] to us.

Thou hast made the earth to tremble; Thou hast broken it: heal its breaches; for it totters.

You caused the land to quake [(with invading hosts)], You split it. Heal its breaches, for it buckles.

Thou hast shown Thy people hard things: Thou hast made us drink the wine of staggering.

You have shown Your people harshness. You have made us drink of the stupefying wine.

Thou hast given a banner to those who fear Thee, that it may be displayed because of the truth. (Sela.)

You have given to those who fear You trials [i.e., afflictions] by which to be tried so that [You be] vindicated forever [i.e., Your ultimate benefaction of Israel will be understood as reward for having withstood these trials].

That Thy beloved ones may be delivered; save with Thy right hand, and answer me.

So that Your loved ones be rescued, save [i.e., assert] Your right hand [(that You have withdrawn at the onslaught of the foe)], and answer me [(for in answering me, who wars for them, they will be rescued)].

God has spoken in his holiness; I will rejoice, I will divide Shekhem, and measure out the valley of Sukkot.

G d spoke in His sanctuary [(that I would be king over them)]; I shall exult [(in His salvation)]. I shall divide [for them] a portion [(in the holding of their foes)], and I shall measure the valley of succoth.

Gil῾ad is mine, and Menashshe is mine; Efrayim also is the strength of my head; Yehuda is my sceptre;

Mine [David's, to reign over)] is Gilad, and mine is Menasheh. Ephraim is the stronghold of my head [(to guard me from the foe)]; Judah is my law-giver.

Mo᾽av is my washpot; over Edom will I cast my shoe: Peleshet, cry aloud because of me.

Moav is my wash-basin. On Edom shall I cast my coils [(to subdue them)]. Philistia joined itself to me [(with the conquest of Gath and Azza)].

Who will bring me into the strong city? who will lead me into Edom?

Who will lead me to a fortified city [(the fortress of Edom, to conquer it)]? Who led me until Edom?

Hast thou not rejected us, O God? so that Thou goest not forth, O God, with our hosts.

Is it not You, O G d, who [(until that time)] had forsaken us and who does not [now] go out, O G d, among our hosts?

Give us help against the foe: for vain is the help of man.

[You, O L rd,] give us [now] help from the oppressor, for vain is the help of man.

Through God we shall do valiantly: for he it is who will tread down our enemies.

In G d shall we be triumphant, and He shall tread down our foes.