Prayer for Protection from the Wicked.
To the Chief Musician; on wind instruments. A Psalm of David.
1 Listen to my words, O Lord,
Consider my groaningandsighing.
2 Heed the sound of my cry for help, my King and my God,
For to You I pray.
3 In the morning, O Lord, You will hear my voice;
In the morning I will prepare [a prayer and a sacrifice] for You and watchandwait [for You to speak to my heart].
4 For You are not a God who takes pleasure in wickedness;
No evil [person] dwells with You.
5 The boastfulandthe arrogant will not stand in Your sight;
You hate all who do evil.
6 You destroy those who tell lies;
The Lorddetestsandrejects the bloodthirsty and deceitful man.
7 But as for me, I will enter Your house through the abundance of Your steadfast loveandtender mercy;
At Your holy temple I will bow [obediently] in reverence for You.
8 O Lord, lead me in Your righteousness because of my enemies;
Make Your way straight (direct, right) before me.
9 For there is nothing trustworthyorreliableortruthful in what they say;
Their heart is destruction [just a treacherous chasm, a yawning gulf of lies].
Their throat is an open grave;
They [glibly] flatter with their [silken] tongue.
10 Hold them guilty, O God;
Let them fall by their own designsandcouncils!
Cast them out because of the abundance of their transgressions,
For they are mutinousandhave rebelled against You.
11 But let all who take refugeandput their trust in You rejoice,
Let them ever sing for joy;
Because You coverandshelter them,
Let those who love Your name be joyfulandexult in You.
12 For You, O Lord, bless the righteous man [the one who is in right standing with You];
You surround him with favor as with a shield.