Prayer for Help in the Face of Enemies

¹ For the music director. A psalm of David.¹ Rescue me, O Yahweh, from evil men.² Preserve me from violent men,

1. The Hebrew Bible counts the superscription as the first verse of the psalm; the English verse number is reduced by one
2. The several uses of the singular “man” in this psalm are probably collective

² who plan evil things in their heart. They stir up wars continually.

³ They sharpen their tongue as sharp as a snake’s; the venom of a viper is under their lips. Selah

⁴ Protect me, O Yahweh, from the hands of the wicked. Preserve me from violent men, who have planned to ⌞make me stumble⌟.¹

1. Literally “push my steps”

⁵ The proud have hidden a trap for me, and cords. They have spread out a net along the ⌞side⌟¹ of the path. They have set snares for me. Selah

1. Literally “hand”

⁶ I say to Yahweh, “You are my God.” Listen, O Yahweh, to the voice of my supplications.

⁷ O Yahweh, my Lord, the strength of my salvation, you have covered my head in the day of battle.

⁸ Do not grant, O Yahweh, the desires of the wicked. Do not allow them to attain their¹ plan, lest they be exalted. Selah

1. Hebrew “his”

⁹ With respect to the head of those who surround me, may the harm of their lips cover them.

¹⁰ Let burning coals fall on them; let them be dropped into the fire, into bottomless pits from which they cannot rise.

¹¹ Do not let a ⌞slanderer⌟¹ be established in the land; as for the man of violence, let evil hunt him quickly.

1. Literally “man of tongue”

¹² I know¹ that Yahweh will maintain the cause of the afflicted, and justice for the needy.

1. According to the reading tradition (Qere)

¹³ Surely the righteous will give thanks to your name; the upright will dwell in your presence.