V. Book I. Prayer for Protection from the Wicked. 1909-14. The Book of Psalms. The Harvard Classics

The Book of Psalms.
The Harvard Classics. 1909–14.

Book I

Prayer for Protection from the Wicked

For the Chief Musician; with the Nehiloth. 1 A Psalm of David.


[1]	GIVE ear to my words, O Jehovah, Consider my meditation.
[2]	Hearken unto the voice of my cry, my King, and my God; For unto thee do I pray.
[3]	O Jehovah, in the morning shalt thou hear my voice; In the morning will I order my prayer unto thee, and will keep watch.
[4]	For thou art not a God that hath pleasure in wickedness: Evil 2 shall not sojourn with thee.
[5]	The 3 arrogant shall not stand in thy sight: Thou hatest all workers of iniquity.
[6]	Thou wilt destroy them that speak lies: Jehovah abhorreth the blood-thirsty and deceitful man.
[7]	But as for me, in the abundance of thy lovingkindness will I come into thy house: In thy fear will I worship toward thy holy temple.
[8]	Lead me, O Jehovah, in thy righteousness because of mine 4 enemies; Make thy way straight 5 before my face.
[9]	For there is no faithfulness 6 in their mouth; Their inward part is very 7 wickedness; Their throat is an open sepulchre; They of 8 latter with their tongue.
[10]	Hold them guilty, O God; Let them fall by 9 their own counsels; Thrust them out in the multitude of their transgressions; For they have rebelled against thee.
[11]	But 10 let all those that take refuge in thee rejoice, Let them ever shout for joy, because thou defendest them: Let them also that love thy name be joyful in thee.
[12]	For thou wilt bless the righteous; O Jehovah, thou wilt compass him with favor as with a shield.

Note 1. Or, wind instruments. [back]

Note 2. Or, The evil man. [back]

Note 3. Or, Fools. [back]

Note 4. Or, them that lie in wait for me. [back]

Note 5. Or, level. [back]

Note 6. Or, stedfastness. [back]

Note 7. Or, a yawning gulf. [back]

Note 8. Heb. make smooth their tongue. [back]

Note 9. Or, from their counsels. [back]

Note 10. Or, So shall all those … rejoice, They shall ever shout … and thou shalt defend them: They also … shall be joyful in thee. [back]