Prayer for Protection against the Wicked.

For the choir director. A Psalm of David.

1
Rescue me, O LORD, from evil men;
Preserve me from violent men

2
Who devise evil things in {their} hearts;
They continually stir up wars.

3
They sharpen their tongues as a serpent;
Poison of a viper is under their lips. Selah.

4
Keep me, O LORD, from the hands of the wicked;
Preserve me from violent men
Who have purposed to trip up my feet.

5
The proud have hidden a trap for me, and cords;
They have spread a net by the wayside;
They have set snares for me. Selah.

6
I said to the LORD, “You are my God;
Give ear, O LORD, to the voice of my supplications.

7
“O GOD the 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 promote his {evil} device, {that} they {not} be exalted. Selah.

9
“As for the head of those who surround me,
May the mischief of their lips cover them.

10
“May burning coals fall upon them;
May they be cast into the fire,
Into deep pits from which they cannot rise.

11
“May a slanderer not be established in the earth;
May evil hunt the violent man speedily.

12
I know that the LORD will maintain the cause of the afflicted
And justice for the poor.

13
Surely the righteous will give thanks to Your name;
The upright will dwell in Your presence.