A Prayer for Protection
1 Save me, Lord, from evildoers;
keep me safe from violent people.
2 They are always plotting evil,
always stirring up quarrels.
3 Their tongues are like deadly snakes;
their words are like a cobra's poison.
4 Protect me, Lord, from the power of the wicked;
keep me safe from violent people
who plot my downfall.
5 The proud have set a trap for me;
they have laid their snares,
and along the path they have set traps to catch me.
6 I say to the Lord, “You are my God.”
Hear my cry for help, Lord!
7 My Sovereign Lord, my strong defender,
you have protected me in battle.
8 Lord, don't give the wicked what they want;
don't let their plots succeed.
9 Don't let my enemies be victorious;
make their threats against me fall back on them.
10 May red-hot coals fall on them;
may they be thrown into a pit and never get out.
11 May those who accuse others falsely not succeed;
may evil overtake violent people and destroy them.
12 Lord, I know that you defend the cause of the poor
and the rights of the needy.
13 The righteous will praise you indeed;
they will live in your presence.
1 To him that excelleth. A Psalme of David. Deliuer me, O Lord, from the euill man: preserue me from the cruel man: 2 Which imagine euill things in their heart, and make warre continually. 3 They haue sharpened their tongues like a serpent: adders poyson is vnder their lips. Selah. 4 Keepe mee, O Lord, from the handes of the wicked: preserue mee from the cruell man, which purposeth to cause my steppes to slide. 5 The proude haue layde a snare for me, and spred a nette with cordes in my pathway, and set grennes for me. Selah. 6 Therefore I saide vnto the Lord, Thou art my God: heare, O Lord, the voyce of my prayers. 7 O Lord God the strength of my saluation, thou hast couered mine head in the day of battel. 8 Let not the wicked haue his desire, O Lord: performe not his wicked thought, least they be proude. Selah. 9 As for the chiefe of them, that compasse me about, let the mischiefe of their owne lippes come vpon them. 10 Let coles fal vpon them: let him cast them into the fire, and into the deepe pits, that they rise not. 11 For the backbiter shall not be established vpon the earth: euill shall hunt the cruell man to destruction. 12 I know that the Lord will auenge the afflicted, and iudge the poore. 13 Surely the righteous shall prayse thy Name, and the iust shall dwell in thy presence.