1[A psalm by David.] O LORD, I cry out to you, "Come quickly." Open your ears to me when I cry out to you.

2Let my prayer be accepted as sweet-smelling incense in your presence. Let the lifting up of my hands in prayer be accepted as an evening sacrifice.

3O LORD, set a guard at my mouth. Keep watch over the door of my lips.

4Do not let me be persuaded to do anything evil or to become involved with wickedness, with people who are troublemakers. Do not let me taste their delicacies.

5A righteous person may strike me or correct me out of kindness. It is like lotion for my head. My head will not refuse it, because my prayer is directed against evil deeds.

6When their judges are thrown off a cliff, they will listen to what I have to say. It will sound pleasant [to them].

7As someone plows and breaks up the ground, so our bones will be planted at the mouth of the grave.

8My eyes look to you, LORD Almighty. I have taken refuge in you. Do not leave me defenseless.

9Keep me away from the trap they set for me and from the traps set by troublemakers.

10Let wicked people fall into their own nets, while I escape unharmed.