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(A psalm by David for the music leader.)

A Prayer for the Lord's Help

Rescue me from cruel
    and violent enemies, Lord!
They think up evil plans
    and always cause trouble.
(A) Their words bite deep
like the poisonous fangs
    of a snake.

Protect me, Lord, from cruel
and brutal enemies,
    who want to destroy me.
Those proud people have hidden
traps and nets
    to catch me as I walk.

You, Lord, are my God!
    Please listen to my prayer.
You have the power to save me,
and you keep me safe
    in every battle.

Don't let the wicked succeed
    in doing what they want,
or else they might never
    stop planning evil.
They have me surrounded,
but make them the victims
    of their own vicious lies.[a]
10 Dump flaming coals on them
and throw them into pits
    where they can't climb out.
11 Chase those cruel liars away!
    Let trouble hunt them down.

12 Our Lord, I know that you
    defend the homeless
and see that the poor
    are given justice.
13 Your people will praise you
and will live with you
    because they do right.

Footnotes

  1. 140.8,9 or else … lies: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text.

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