Rescue Me from Evil Men

For the choirmaster. A Psalm of David.

1Rescue me, O LORD, from evil men.

Protect me from men of violence,

2who devise evil in their hearts

and stir up war all day long.

3They sharpen their tongues like snakes;

the venom of vipers is on their lips.a

Selah

4Guard me, O LORD,

from the hands of the wicked.

Keep me safe from men of violence

who scheme to make me stumble.

5The proud hide a snare for me;

the cords of their net are spread along the path,

and lures are set out for me.

Selah

6I say to the LORD, “You are my God.”

Hear, O LORD, my cry for help.

7O GOD the Lord, the strength of my salvation,

You shield my head in the day of battle.

8Grant not, O LORD, the desires of the wicked;

do not promote their evil plans,

lest they be exalted.

Selah

9May the heads of those who surround me

be covered in the trouble their lips have caused.

10May burning coals fall on them;

may they be thrown into the fire,

into the miry pits, never to rise again.

11May no slanderer be established in the land;

may calamity hunt down the man of violence.

12I know that the LORD upholds justice for the poor

and defends the cause of the needy.

13Surely the righteous will praise Your name;

the upright will dwell in Your presence.