Refrain: Keep me, O Lord, from the hands of the wicked.
1 Deliver me, O Lord, from evildoers ♦
and protect me from the violent,
2 Who devise evil in their hearts ♦
and stir up strife all the day long.
3 They have sharpened their tongues like a serpent; ♦
adder’s poison is under their lips.
4 Keep me, O Lord, from the hands of the wicked; ♦
protect me from the violent
who seek to make me stumble.
5 The proud have laid a snare for me
and spread out a net of cords; ♦
they have set traps along my path. [R]
6 I have said to the Lord, ‘You are my God; ♦
listen, O Lord, to the voice of my supplication.
7 ‘O Lord God, the strength of my salvation, ♦
you have covered my head in the day of battle.
8 ‘Do not grant the desires of the wicked, O Lord, ♦
do not prosper their wicked plans. [R]
9 ‘Let not those who surround me lift up their heads; ♦
let the evil of their own lips fall upon them.
10 ‘Let hot burning coals rain upon them; ♦
let them be cast into the depths, that they rise not again.’
11 No slanderer shall prosper on the earth, ♦
and evil shall hunt down the violent to overthrow them. [R]
12 I know that the Lord will bring justice for the oppressed ♦
and maintain the cause of the needy.
13 Surely, the righteous will give thanks to your name, ♦
and the upright shall dwell in your presence.
Refrain: Keep me, O Lord, from the hands of the wicked.
Glorious Saviour,
rescue us from the subtle evils that are too strong for us,
from poisonous words and the spirit of war;
by your judgement overthrow the forces of violence,
that all the world may join to worship you
in thanksgiving and peace,
now and for ever.
Common Worship: Daily Prayer, material from which is included here,
is copyright © The Archbishops' Council 2005 and published by Church House Publishing.