For the director of music, a psalm of David.

Deliver me, O LORD, from the evil man: preserve me from the violent man;

Rescue me, O LORD, from evil people; protect me from men of violence.

Which imagine mischiefs in their heart; continually are they gathered together for war.

They devise wicked schemes in their hearts and stir up conflicts all day long.

They have sharpened their tongues like a serpent; adders' poison is under their lips. Selah.

They sharpen their tongues like serpents; the venom of vipers is under their lips. Selah.

Keep me, O LORD, from the hands of the wicked; preserve me from the violent man; who have purposed to overthrow my goings.

Guard me, O LORD, from the hands of the wicked; protect me from men of violence who plot to overthrow my steps.

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.

The arrogant have hidden traps for me; they have spread out cords as a net and set snares for me along my path. Selah.

I said unto the LORD, Thou art my God: hear the voice of my supplications, O LORD.

I said to the LORD, 'You are my God.' Listen, O LORD, to my cries for mercy.

O GOD the Lord, the strength of my salvation, thou hast covered my head in the day of battle.

O LORD, my Master, the strength of my salvation, you have shielded my head on the day of battle.

Grant not, O LORD, the desires of the wicked: further not his wicked device; lest they exalt themselves. Selah.

Do not grant the desires of the wicked, O LORD; do not let their plans succeed, lest they exalt themselves. Selah.

As for the head of those that compass me about, let the mischief of their own lips cover them.

May the heads of those who surround me be covered with the trouble their lips have caused.

Let burning coals fall upon them: let them be cast into the fire; into deep pits, that they rise not up again.

May burning coals fall upon them; may they be thrown into the fire, into deep pits, never to rise again.

Let not an evil speaker be established in the earth: evil shall hunt the violent man to overthrow him.

May slanderers not be established in the land; may evil hunt down violent men to their destruction.

I know that the LORD will maintain the cause of the afflicted, and the right of the poor.

I know that the LORD upholds the cause of the afflicted and secures justice for the poor.

Surely the righteous shall give thanks unto thy name: the upright shall dwell in thy presence.

Surely the righteous will praise your name, and the upright will live in your presence.