Prayer for Protection against the Wicked.

¹Rescue me, O Lord , from evil men;

Protect me from violent men.

²They devise evil things in their hearts;

They continually [gather together and] stir up wars.

³They sharpen their tongues like a serpent’s;

Poison of a viper is under their lips. [Rom 3:13] Selah.

⁴¶Keep me, O Lord , from the hands of the wicked;

Protect me from violent men

Who intend to trip up my steps.

⁵The 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 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 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 Lord will maintain the cause of the afflicted,

And [will secure] justice for the poor.

¹³Surely the righteous will give thanks to Your name;

The upright will dwell in Your presence.