1. For the leader. A psalm of David.
2. Deliver me, Lord, from the wicked;preserve me from the violent,
3. From those who plan evil in their hearts,who stir up conflicts every day,
4. Who sharpen their tongue like a serpent,venom of asps upon their lips.Selah
5. Keep me, Lord, from the clutches of the wicked;preserve me from the violent,who plot to trip me up.
6. The arrogant have set a trap for me;they have spread out ropes for a net,laid snares for me by the wayside.Selah
7. I say to the Lord: You are my God;listen, Lord, to the words of my pleas.
8. Lord, my master, my strong deliverer,you cover my head on the day of armed conflict.
9. Lord, do not grant the desires of the wicked one;do not let his plot succeed.Selah
10. Those who surround me raise their heads;may the mischief they threaten overwhelm them.
11. Drop burning coals upon them;cast them into the watery pit never more to rise.
12. Slanderers will not survive on earth;evil will hunt down the man of violence to overthrow him.
13. For I know the Lord will take up the cause of the needy,justice for the poor.
14. Then the righteous will give thanks to your name;the upright will dwell in your presence.