1. Lord, from the ill and froward mangive me deliverance,And do thou safe preserve me fromthe man of violence:
2. Who in their heart mischievous thingsare meditating ever;And they for war assembled arecontinually together.
3. Much like unto a serpent's tonguetheir tongues they sharp do make;And underneath their lips there liesthe poison of a snake.
4. Lord, keep me from the wicked's hands,from vi'lent men me save;Who utterly to overthrowmy goings purpos'd have.
5. The proud for me a snare have hid,and cords; yea, they a netHave by the way-side for me spread;they gins for me have set.
6. I said unto the Lord, Thou artmy God: unto the cryOf all my supplications,Lord, do thine ear apply.
7. O God the Lord, who art the strengthof my salvation:A cov'ring in the day of warmy head thou hast put on.
8. Unto the wicked man, O Lord,his wishes do not grant;Nor further thou his ill device,lest they themselves should vaunt.
9. As for the head and chief of thoseabout that compass me,Ev'n by the mischief of their lipslet thou them cover'd be.
10. Let burning coals upon them fall,them throw in fiery flame,And in deep pits, that they no moremay rise out of the same.
11. Let not an evil speaker beon earth established:Mischief shall hunt the vi'lent man,till he be ruined.
12. I know God will th' afflicted's causemaintain, and poor men's right.
13. Surely the just shall praise thy name;th' upright dwell in thy sight.