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Prayer for Protection against the Wicked.
For the choir director. A Psalm of David.
1 Rescue me, O Lord, from evil men;
Preserve me from violent men
2 Who devise evil things in their hearts;
They continually stir up wars.
3 They sharpen their tongues as a serpent;
Poison of a viper is under their lips.
Selah.
4 Keep me, O Lord, from the hands of the wicked;
Preserve me from violent men
Who have purposed to trip up my feet.
5 The proud have hidden a trap for me, and cords;
They have spread a net by the wayside;
They have set snares for me.
Selah.
6 I said to the Lord, “You are my God;
Give ear, O Lord, to the voice of my supplications.
7 “O God the Lord, the strength of my salvation,
You have covered my head in the day of battle.
8 “Do not grant, O Lord, the desires of the wicked;
Do not promote his evil device, that they not be exalted.
Selah.
9 “As for the head of those who surround me,
May the mischief of their lips cover them.
10 “May burning coals fall upon them;
May they be cast into the fire,
Into deep pits from which they cannot rise.
11 “May a slanderer not be established in the earth;
May evil hunt the violent man speedily.”
12 I know that the Lord will maintain the cause of the afflicted
And justice for the poor.
13 Surely the righteous will give thanks to Your name;
The upright will dwell in Your presence.