Rescue Me, O Yahweh, from Evil Men

For the choir director. A Psalm of David.

1Rescue me, O Yahweh, from evil men;

Guard me from violent men

2Who think up evil things in their hearts;

They continually stir up wars.

3They sharpen their tongues as a serpent;

Poison of an asp is under their lips. [†]Selah.

4Keep me, O Yahweh, from the hands of the wicked;

Guard me from violent men

Who [†]give thought to [†]trip up my steps.

5The proud have hidden a trap for me, and cords;

They have spread a net by the [†]wayside;

They have set snares for me. Selah.

6I said to Yahweh, “You are my God;

Give ear, O Yahweh, to the voice of my supplications.

7O Yahweh, O Lord, the strength of my salvation,

You have covered my head in the day of [†]battle.

8Do not grant, O Yahweh, the desires of the wicked;

Do not promote his evil [†]scheme, that they not be exalted. Selah.

9“As for the head of those who surround me,

May the trouble from their lips cover them.

10May burning coals be shaken out upon them;

May He cause them to fall into the fire,

Into [†]bottomless pits from which they can never rise.

11May a [†]slanderer not be established in the earth;

May evil hunt the violent man [†]speedily.”

12I know that Yahweh will maintain the cause for the afflicted

And judgment for the needy.

13Surely the righteous will give thanks to Your name;

The upright will abide in Your presence.