1For the leader. A psalm of David.
2Deliver me, Lord , from the wicked;
preserve me from the violent,
3From those who plan evil in their hearts,
who stir up conflicts every day,
4Who sharpen their tongue like a serpent,[#Similar metaphors for a wicked tongue are used in Ps 52:2; 55:20; 58:3.]
venom of asps upon their lips.
5Keep me, Lord , from the clutches of the wicked;
preserve me from the violent,
who plot to trip me up.
6The arrogant have set a trap for me;[#: the same figure, of hunters setting traps, occurs in Ps 9:16; 31:5; 35:7; 64:6, cf. Mt 22:15; Lk 11:54.]
they have spread out ropes for a net,
laid snares for me by the wayside.
7I say to the Lord : You are my God;[#Ps 31:15.]
listen, Lord , to the words of my pleas.
8Lord , my master, my strong deliverer,
you cover my head on the day of armed conflict.
9Lord , do not grant the desires of the wicked one;
do not let his plot succeed.
10Those who surround me raise their heads;
may the mischief they threaten overwhelm them.
11Drop burning coals upon them;[#Ps 11:6; 120:4; Gn 19:24.]
cast them into the watery pit never more to rise.
12Slanderers will not survive on earth;
evil will hunt down the man of violence to overthrow him.
13For I know the Lord will take up the cause of the needy,
justice for the poor.
14Then the righteous will give thanks to your name;
the upright will dwell in your presence.