Deliver Me, O Lord, from Evil Men
To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David.
aDeliver me, O Lord, from evil men;
preserve me from bviolent men,
2 who plan evil things in their heart
and astir up wars continually.
3 They make atheir tongue sharp as ba serpent’s,
and cunder their lips is the dvenom of asps. Selah
4 Guard me, O Lord, from the hands of the wicked;
preserve me from aviolent men,
who have planned to trip up my feet.
5 The arrogant have ahidden a trap for me,
and with cords they have spread ba net;
beside the way they have set csnares for me. Selah
6 aI say to the Lord, You are my God;
give ear to bthe voice of my pleas for mercy, O Lord!
7 O Lord, my Lord, athe strength of my salvation,
you have covered my head in the day of battle.
8 aGrant not, O Lord, the desires of the wicked;
do not further their evil plot, or bthey will be exalted! Selah
9 As for the head of those who surround me,
let athe mischief of their lips overwhelm them!
10 Let aburning coals fall upon them!
Let them be cast into fire,
into miry pits, no more to rise!
11 Let not the slanderer be established in the land;
let evil hunt down the violent man speedily!
12 I know that the Lord will amaintain the cause of the afflicted,
and bwill execute justice for the needy.
13 Surely athe righteous shall give thanks to your name;
bthe upright shall dwell in your presence.