1 T o the Overseer. -- A Psalm of David. Deliver me, O Jehovah, from an evil man, From one of violence Thou keepest me.

2 W ho have devised evils in the heart, All the day they assemble wars.

3 T hey sharpened their tongue as a serpent, Poison of an adder under their lips. Selah.

4 P reserve me, Jehovah, from the hands of the wicked, From one of violence Thou keepest me, Who have devised to overthrow my steps.

5 T he proud hid a snare for me -- and cords, They spread a net by the side of the path, Snares they have set for me. Selah.

6 I have said to Jehovah, `My God Thou, Hear, Jehovah, the voice of my supplications.'

7 O Jehovah, my Lord, strength of my salvation, Thou hast covered my head in the day of armour.

8 G rant not, O Jehovah, the desires of the wicked, His wicked device bring not forth, They are high. Selah.

9 T he chief of my surrounders, The perverseness of their lips covereth them.

10 T hey cause to fall on themselves burning coals, Into fire He doth cast them, Into deep pits -- they arise not.

11 A talkative man is not established in the earth, One of violence -- evil hunteth to overflowing.

12 I have known that Jehovah doth execute The judgment of the afflicted, The judgment of the needy.

13 O nly -- the righteous give thanks to Thy name, The upright do dwell with Thy presence!