Protection against

evil & crafty people

For the director of music. A psalm of David.

¹ Lord, save me from sinful people.
Keep me safe from those who want to hurt me.
² They make evil plans in their hearts.
They are always starting fights.
³ Their tongues are as deadly as the tongue of a serpent.
The words from their lips are like the poison of a snake.
⁴ Lord, keep me safe from the hands of sinful people.
Protect me from those who want to hurt me.
They plan ways to trip me up and make me fall.
⁵ Proud people have hidden their traps to catch me.
They have spread out their nets.
They have set traps for me along my path.
⁶ I say to the Lord, “You are my God.”
Lord, hear my cry for mercy.
⁷ Lord and King, you save me because you are strong.
You are like a shield that keeps me safe in the day of battle.
⁸ Lord, don’t give sinners what they want.
Don’t let their plans succeed.
⁹ Those who are all around me proudly raise their heads.
May the trouble they planned for me happen to them.
¹⁰ May burning coals fall on people like that.
May they be thrown into the fire.
May they be thrown into muddy pits and never get out.
¹¹ Don’t let people who lie about me be secure in the land.
May trouble hunt down those who want to hurt me.
¹² I know that the Lord makes sure that poor people are treated fairly.
He stands up for those who are in need.
¹³ I’m sure that those who do right will praise your name.
Those who are honest will live with you.