1 - ?For the director of music. A psalm of David.?
Rescue me, Lord, from evildoers; protect me from the violent,
2 - who devise evil plans in their hearts and stir up war every day.
3 - They make their tongues as sharp as a serpent's; the poison of vipers is on their lips.
4 - Keep me safe, Lord, from the hands of the wicked; protect me from the violent, who devise ways to trip my feet.
5 - The arrogant have hidden a snare for me; they have spread out the cords of their net and have set traps for me along my path.
6 - I say to the Lord, "You are my God." Hear, Lord, my cry for mercy.
7 - Sovereign Lord, my strong deliverer, you shield my head in the day of battle.
8 - Do not grant the wicked their desires, Lord; do not let their plans succeed.
9 - Those who surround me proudly rear their heads; may the mischief of their lips engulf them.
10 - May burning coals fall on them; may they be thrown into the fire, into miry pits, never to rise.
11 - May slanderers not be established in the land; may disaster hunt down the violent.
12 - I know that the Lord secures justice for the poor and upholds the cause of the needy.
13 - Surely the righteous will praise your name, and the upright will live in your presence.