Online Bible

Prayer for Protection against the Wicked.

For the choir director. A Psalm of David.

^aRescue me, O LORD, from evil men;Preserve me from ^bviolent men2 Who ^adevise evil things in their hearts;They ^bcontinually stir up wars.3 They ^asharpen their tongues as a serpent;^bPoison of a viper is under their lips.¹Selah.

4 ^aKeep me, O LORD, from the hands of the wicked;^bPreserve me from violent menWho have ¹purposed to ²^ctrip up my feet.5 The proud have ^ahidden a trap for me, and cords;They have spread a ^bnet by the ¹wayside;They have set ^csnares for me.Selah.

6 I ^asaid to the LORD, “You are my God;^bGive ear, O LORD, to the ^cvoice of my supplications.7 “O ¹GOD the Lord, ^athe strength of my salvation,You have ^bcovered my head in the day of ²battle.8 “Do not grant, O LORD, the ^adesires of the wicked;Do not promote ^bhis evil device, that they not be exalted.Selah.

9 “As for the head of those who surround me,May the ^amischief of their lips cover them.10 “May ^aburning coals fall upon them;May they be ^bcast into the fire,Into ¹deep pits from which they ^ccannot rise.11 “May a ¹slanderer not be established in the earth;^aMay evil hunt the violent man ²speedily.”

12 I know that the LORD will ^amaintain the cause of the afflictedAnd ^bjustice for the poor.13 Surely the ^arighteous will give thanks to Your name;The ^bupright will dwell in Your presence.