1 Rescue me, O Lord, from the evil man; deliver me from the unjust man.

2 Who have devised injustice in their hearts; all the day they prepared war.

3 They have sharpened their tongue as the tongue of a serpent; ✡ Rom 3. 13. the poison of asps is under their lips. Pause.

4 Keep me, O Lord, from the hand of the sinner; rescue me from unjust men; who have purposed to overthrow my goings.

5 The proud have hid a snare for me, and have stretched out ropes for snares for my feet; they set a stumbling-block for me near the path. Pause.

6 I said to the Lord, Thou art my God; hearken, O Lord, to the voice of my supplication.

7 O Lord God, the strength of my salvation; thou hast screened my head in the day of battle.

8 Deliver me not, O Lord, to the sinner, * according to my desire: they have devised mischief against me; forsake me not, lest they should be exalted. Pause.

9  As for the head of them that compass me, the mischief of their lips shall cover them.

10 Coals of fire shall fall upon them on the earth; and thou shalt cast them down in afflictions: they shall not bear up under them.

11 A talkative man shall not prosper on the earth: evils shall hunt the unrighteous man to destruction.

12 I know that the Lord will maintain the cause of the † Gr. singular. poor, and the right of the needy ones.

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