The Book of Psalms

For the chief musician. A psalm of David. Yahweh, rescue me from the wicked; preserve me from violent men.

They plan evil in their hearts; they cause battles every day.

Their tongues wound like serpents; vipers’ poison is on their lips. Selah.

Keep me from the hands of the wicked, Yahweh; preserve me from violent men who plan to knock me over.

The proud have set a trap for me; they have spread a net; they have set a snare for me. Selah.

I said to Yahweh, “You are my God; listen to my cries for mercy.”

Yahweh, my Lord, you are powerfully able to save me; you shield my head in the day of battle.

Yahweh, do not grant the desires of the wicked; do not let their plots succeed. Selah.

Those who surround me raise their heads; let the mischief of their own lips cover them.

Let burning coals fall on them; throw them into the fire, into bottomless pits, never more to rise.

May men of tongues not be made secure on the earth; may evil hunt down the violent man to strike him dead.

I know that Yahweh will judge in favor of the afflicted, and that he will give justice to the needy.

Surely the righteous people will give thanks to your name; the upright people will live in your presence.

Deliver me, LORD, from evil men. Preserve me from violent men:

those who devise mischief in their hearts. They continually gather themselves together for war.

They have sharpened their tongues like a serpent. Viper’s poison is under their lips. Selah.

LORD, keep me from the hands of the wicked. Preserve me from the violent men who have determined to trip my feet.

The proud have hidden a snare for me, they have spread the cords of a net by the path. They have set traps for me. Selah.

I said to the LORD, “You are my God.” Listen to the cry of my petitions, LORD.

LORD, the Lord, the strength of my salvation, you have covered my head in the day of battle.

LORD, don’t grant the desires of the wicked. Don’t let their evil plans succeed, or they will become proud. Selah.

As for the head of those who surround me, let the mischief of their own lips cover them.

Let burning coals fall on them. Let them be thrown into the fire, into miry pits, from where they never rise.

An evil speaker won’t be established in the earth. Evil will hunt the violent man to overthrow him.

I know that the LORD will maintain the cause of the afflicted, and justice for the needy.

Surely the righteous will give thanks to your name. The upright will dwell in your presence.