¹ To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. Deliver me, O LORD, from the evil man: preserve me from the violent man;¹

1. violent...: Heb. man of violences

² Who imagine mischiefs in their heart; continually are they gathered together for war.

³ They have sharpened their tongues like a serpent; adders’ poison is under their lips. Selah.

⁴ Keep me, O LORD, from the hands of the wicked; preserve me from the violent man; who have purposed to overthrow my goings.

⁵ The proud have hid a trap for me, and cords; they have spread a net by the way side; they have set snares for me. Selah.

⁶ I said to the LORD, Thou art my God: hear the voice of my supplications, O LORD.

⁷ O GOD the Lord, the strength of my salvation, thou hast covered my head in the day of battle.

⁸ Grant not, O LORD, the desires of the wicked: further not his wicked device; lest they exalt themselves. Selah.¹

1. lest...: or, let them not be exalted

⁹ As for the head of those that surroundeth me, let the mischief of their own lips cover them.

¹⁰ Let burning coals fall upon them: let them be cast into the fire; into deep pits, that they rise not again.

¹¹ Let not an evil speaker be established on the earth: evil shall hunt the violent man to overthrow him .¹

1. an...: or, an evil speaker (Heb. a man of tongue), a wicked man of violence, be established in the earth: let him be hunted to his overthrow

¹² I know that the LORD will maintain the cause of the afflicted, and the right of the poor.

¹³ Surely the righteous shall give thanks to thy name: the upright shall dwell in thy presence.