1RESCUE me, O LORD, from evil men;
protect me from men of violence,
2 who devise evil schemes in their hearts,
and stir up war continually.
3 They make their tongues sharp like a serpent’s;
the venom of vipers is under their lips. Selah
4 Keep me, O LORD, from the hands of the wicked;
preserve me from violent men,
who plan to trip up my feet.
5 The proud have hidden a snare for me;
they have spread out the cords of their net,
and set snares for me along my path. Selah
6 I say to the LORD, “You are my God.”
Listen to my cry for help, O LORD.
7 O God the LORD, the strength of my salvation,
You shield my head in the day of battle.
8 Do not grant the desires of the wicked, O LORD;
do not let their evil schemes succeed,
lest they exalt themselves. Selah
9 When those who surround me raise up their heads in pride,
may the trouble their own lips cause cover them.
10 Let burning coals fall upon them;
let them be thrown into the fire,
into deep pits, so they never rise up again.
11 Let slanderers not be established in the land;
let disaster hunt the violent man down and overthrow him.
12 I know that the LORD upholds the cause of the poor,
and secures justice for the needy.
13 Surely the righteous will praise Your name,
and the upright will live before You.