To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David.

¹ Deliver me, O LORD, from the evil man:
Preserve me from the violent man;
² Which imagine mischiefs in their heart;
Continually are they gathered together for war.
³ They have sharpened their tongues like a serpent;
Adders’ poison is under their lips.

Selah.
⁴ Keep me, O LORD, from the hands of the wicked;
Preserve me from the violent man; Who have purposed to overthrow my goings.
⁵ The proud have hid a snare for me, and cords; They have spread a net by the wayside;
They have set gins for me.

Selah.
⁶ I said unto the LORD, Thou art my God:
Hear the voice of my supplications, O LORD.
⁷ O GOD the Lord, the strength of my salvation,
Thou hast covered my head in the day of battle.
⁸ Grant not, O LORD, the desires of the wicked:
Further not his wicked device; lest they exalt themselves.

Selah.
⁹ As for the head of those that compass me about,
Let the mischief of their own lips cover them.
¹⁰ Let burning coals fall upon them:
Let them be cast into the fire; Into deep pits, that they rise not up again.
¹¹ Let not an evil speaker be established in the earth:
Evil shall hunt the violent man to overthrow him.
¹² I know that the LORD will maintain the cause of the afflicted,
And the right of the poor.
¹³ Surely the righteous shall give thanks unto thy name:
The upright shall dwell in thy presence.