For the choir director: A psalm of David.

1O LORD, rescue me from evil people.

Protect me from those who are violent,

2those who plot evil in their hearts

and stir up trouble all day long.

3Their tongues sting like a snake;

the venom of a viper drips from their lips.

Interlude

4O LORD, keep me out of the hands of the wicked.

Protect me from those who are violent,

for they are plotting against me.

5The proud have set a trap to catch me;

they have stretched out a net;

they have placed traps all along the way.

Interlude

6I said to the LORD, “You are my God!”

Listen, O LORD, to my cries for mercy!

7O Sovereign LORD, the strong one who rescued me,

you protected me on the day of battle.

8LORD, do not let evil people have their way.

Do not let their evil schemes succeed,

or they will become proud.

Interlude

9Let my enemies be destroyed

by the very evil they have planned for me.

10Let burning coals fall down on their heads.

Let them be thrown into the fire

or into watery pits from which they can’t escape.

11Don’t let liars prosper here in our land.

Cause great disasters to fall on the violent.

12But I know the LORD will help those they persecute;

he will give justice to the poor.

13Surely righteous people are praising your name;

the godly will live in your presence.