To the chief Musician,
A Psalm of David.

This psalm was probably penned by David when persecuted by Saul; and perhaps partly relates to Doeg the Edomite, as Psalm 52and 120. In it, (1.) David complains of the malice of his enemies, and supplicates God’s preservation from them, ver. 1-5. (2.) He encourageth himself in God, as his God, ver. 6-7. (3.) He prays for, and prophesies the destruction of all his enemies, ver. 8-11. (4.) He assures himself and other saints, that all their troubles shall end happily, ver. 12-13.

Let my troubles stir me up to fervent prayers, and to an earnest believing on God as my God. Thus shall I suck honey out of flinty rocks; and the malice, as well as the ruin of mine enemies, shall work for me an exceeding and eternal weight of glory.

1 Lord, from the ill and froward man
give me deliverance,
And do thou safe preserve me from
the man of violence:

2 Who in their heart mischievous things
are meditating ever;
And they for war assembled are
continually together.

3 Much like unto a serpent’s tongue
their tongues they sharp do make;
And underneath their lips there lies
the poison of a snake.

4 Lord, keep me from the wicked’s hands,
from vi’lent men me save;
Who utterly to overthrow
my goings purposed have.

5 The proud for me a snare have hid,
and cords; yea, they a net
Have by the way-side for me spread;
they gins for me have set.

6 I said unto the Lord, Thou art
my God: unto the cry
Of all my supplications,
Lord, do thine ear apply.

7 O God the Lord, who art the strength
of my salvation:
A cov’ring in the day of war
my 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 those
about that compass me,
Ev’n by the mischief of their lips
let thou them cover’d be.

10 Let burning coals upon them fall,
them throw in fiery flame,
And in deep pits, that they no more
may rise out of the same.

11 Let not an evil speaker be
on earth established:
Mischief shall hunt the vi’lent man,
till he be ruined.

12 I know God will th’ afflicted’s cause
maintain, and poor men’s right.
13 Surely the just shall praise thy name;
th’ upright dwell in thy sight.