Prayer for Protection against the Wicked.
1 Rescue me, Lord, from evil people; Protect me from violent men
2 Who devise evil things in their hearts; They continually stir up wars.
3 They sharpen their tongues like a snake; The venom of a viper is under their lips. Selah
4 Keep me, Lord, from the hands of the wicked; Protect me from violent men Who intend to trip up my feet.
5 The proud have hidden a trap for me, and snares; They have spread a net at the wayside; They have set snares for me. Selah
6 I said to the Lord, “You are my God; Listen, Lord, to the sound of my pleadings.
7 “God the Lord, the strength of my salvation, You have covered my head on the day of battle.
8 “Do not grant, Lord, the desires of the wicked; Do not bring about his evil planning, so that they are not exalted. Selah
9 “As for the head of those who surround me, May the harm of their lips cover them.
10 “May burning coals fall upon them; May they be cast into the fire, Into bottomless pits from which they cannot rise.
11 “May a slanderer not endure on the earth; May evil hunt a violent person violently.”
12 I know that the Lord will maintain the cause of the afflicted, And justice for the poor.
13 Certainly the righteous will give thanks to Your name; The upright will dwell in Your presence.