Deliver Me from Evil Men
For the Chief Musician. A Psalm by David.
1 Deliver me, LORD, from evil men.
Preserve me from violent men,
2 who devise mischief in their hearts.
They continually gather together for war.
3 They have sharpened their tongues like a serpent.
Viper’s poison is under their lips.
Selah.
4 LORD, keep me from the hands of the wicked.
Preserve me from violent men who have determined to trip me.
5 The proud have hidden a snare for me.
They have spread the cords of a net by my path.
They have set traps for me.
Selah.
6 I said to the LORD, “You are my God.”
Hear the sound of my cry for help, O LORD.
7 O God, LORD, the strength of my salvation,
you have covered my head on the day of battle.
8 O LORD, do not grant the desires of the wicked.
Do not let their evil plans succeed, or they will become proud.
Selah.
9 As for those who rise up and surround me,
let the mischief of their own lips overwhelm them.
10 Let burning coals fall on them.
Let them be thrown into the fire,
into miry pits, from which they will never rise.
11 Let not the slanderer be established in the land.
Disaster will hunt down and overthrow the violent man.
12 I know that the LORD will maintain the cause of the afflicted,
and justice for the needy.
13 Surely the righteous will give thanks to your name.
The upright will dwell in your presence.