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.