For the Chief Musician. A Psalm by David.

• ¹Deliver me, Yahweh, from the evil man.
• Preserve me from the violent man;

• ²those who devise mischief in their hearts.
• They continually gather themselves together for war.

• ³They have sharpened their tongues like a serpent.
• Viper’s poison is under their lips.

• Selah.

• ⁴Yahweh, keep me from the hands of the wicked.
• Preserve me from the violent men who have determined to trip my feet.

• ⁵The proud have hidden a snare for me,
• they have spread the cords of a net by the path.
• They have set traps for me.

• Selah.

• ⁶I said to Yahweh, “You are my God.”
• Listen to the cry of my petitions, Yahweh.

• ⁷Yahweh, the Lord, the strength of my salvation,
• you have covered my head in the day of battle.

• ⁸Yahweh, don’t grant the desires of the wicked.
• Don’t let their evil plans succeed, or they will become proud.

• Selah.

• ⁹As for the head of those who surround me,
• let the mischief of their own lips cover them.

• ¹⁰Let burning coals fall on them.
• Let them be thrown into the fire,
• into miry pits, from where they never rise.

• ¹¹An evil speaker won’t be established in the earth.
• Evil will hunt the violent man to overthrow him.

• ¹²I know that Yahweh will maintain the cause of the afflicted,
• and justice for the needy.

• ¹³Surely the righteous will give thanks to your name.
• The upright will dwell in your presence.