Prayer for Protection against the Wicked.
To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David.
1 Rescue me, O Lord, from evil men;
Protect me from violent men.
2 They devise evil things in their hearts;
They continually [gather together and] stir up wars.
3 They sharpen their tongues like a serpent’s;
Poison of a viper is under their lips. Selah.
4 Keep me, O Lord, from the hands of the wicked;
Protect me from violent men
Who intend to trip up my steps.
5 The proud have hidden a trap for me, and cords;
They have spread a net by the wayside;
They have set traps for me. Selah.
6 I said to the Lord, “You are my God;
Listen to the voice of my supplications, O Lord.
7 “O Godthe Lord, the strength of my salvation,
You have covered my head in the day of battle.
8 “Do not grant, O Lord, the desires of the wicked;
Do not further their evil device, that they not be exalted. Selah.
9 “Those who surround me raise their heads;
May the mischief of their own lips come upon them.
10 “Let burning coals fall upon them;
Let them be thrown into the fire,
Into deep [water] pits from which they cannot rise.
11 “Do not let a slanderer be established in the earth;
Let evil quickly hunt the violent man [to overthrow him and stop his evil acts].”
12 I know [with confidence] that the Lordwill maintain the cause of the afflicted,
And [will secure] justice for the poor.
13 Surely the righteous will give thanks to Your name;
The upright will dwell in Your presence.