¹For the music director, a psalm of David. O Lord, rescue me from wicked men. Protect me from violent men, ²who plan ways to harm me. All day long they stir up conflict.³Their tongues wound like a serpent; a viper’s venom is behind their lips. (Selah)⁴O Lord, shelter me from the power of the wicked. Protect me from violent men, who plan to knock me over.⁵Proud men hide a snare for me; evil men spread a net by the path. They set traps for me. (Selah)⁶I say to the Lord, “You are my God.” O Lord, pay attention to my plea for mercy.⁷O Sovereign Lord, my strong deliverer, you shield my head in the day of battle. ⁸O Lord, do not let the wicked have their way. Do not allow their plan to succeed when they attack. (Selah)⁹As for the heads of those who surround me— may the harm done by their lips overwhelm them.¹⁰May he rain down fiery coals upon them. May he throw them into the fire. From bottomless pits they will not escape. ¹¹A slanderer will not endure on the earth; calamity will hunt down a violent man and strike him down. ¹²I know that the Lord defends the cause of the oppressed and vindicates the poor. ¹³Certainly the godly will give thanks to your name; the morally upright will live in your presence.