Prayer for Preservation from Evil

A Psalm of David.

1I call upon you, O LORD; come quickly to me;

give ear to my voice when I call to you.

2Let my prayer be counted as incense before you,

and the lifting up of my hands as an evening sacrifice.

3Set a guard over my mouth, O LORD;

keep watch over the door of my lips.

4Do not turn my heart to any evil,

to busy myself with wicked deeds

in company with those who work iniquity;

do not let me eat of their delicacies.

5Let the righteous strike me;

let the faithful correct me.

Never let the oil of the wicked anoint my head,141.5 Gk: Meaning of Heb uncertain

for my prayer is continually141.5 Cn: Heb for continually and my prayer against their wicked deeds.

6When they are given over to those who shall condemn them,

then they shall learn that my words were pleasant.

7Like a rock that one breaks apart and shatters on the land,

so shall their bones be strewn at the mouth of Sheol.141.7 Meaning of Heb of verses 5–7 is uncertain

8But my eyes are turned towards you, O GOD, my Lord;

in you I seek refuge; do not leave me defenceless.

9Keep me from the trap that they have laid for me,

and from the snares of evildoers.

10Let the wicked fall into their own nets,

while I alone escape.