Prayer for Protection against the Wicked.
For the music director. A Psalm of David.
aRescue me, LORD, from evil people;Protect me from bviolent menPs 17:13; 59:2; 71:4Ps 18:48; 86:14; 140:112 Who adevise evil things in their hearts;They bcontinually stir up wars.Ps 7:14; 36:4; 52:2; Prov 6:14; Is 59:4; Hos 7:15Ps 56:63 They asharpen their tongues like a snake;bThe venom of a viper is under their lips.SelahPs 57:4; 64:3Ps 58:4; Rom 3:13; James 3:8
4 aKeep me, LORD, from the hands of the wicked;bProtect me from violent menWho 1intend to 2ctrip up my feet.Or deviseLit pushPs 71:4Ps 140:1Ps 36:115 The proud have ahidden a trap for me, and snares;They have spread a bnet at the 1wayside;They have set csnares for me.SelahLit trackJob 18:9; Ps 35:7; 141:9; 142:3Ps 31:4; 57:6; Lam 1:13Ps 141:9; Is 8:14; Amos 3:5
6 I asaid to the LORD, “You are my God;bListen, LORD, to the csound of my pleadings.Ps 16:2; 31:14Ps 143:1Ps 116:1; 130:27 “1GOD the Lord, athe strength of my salvation,You have bcovered my head on the day of 2battle.Heb YHWH, usually rendered LORDLit weaponsPs 28:8; 118:14Ps 144:108 “Do not grant, LORD, the adesires of the wicked;Do not bring about bhis evil planning, so that they are not exalted.SelahPs 112:10Esth 9:25; Ps 10:2, 3
9 “As for the head of those who surround me,May the aharm of their lips cover them.Ps 7:16; Prov 18:710 “May aburning coals fall upon them;May they be bcast into the fire,Into bottomless pits from which they ccannot rise.Ps 11:6Ps 21:9; Matt 3:10Ps 36:1211 “May a 1slanderer not endure on the earth;aMay evil hunt a violent person 2violently.”Lit man of tongueLit blow upon blowPs 34:21