1 O LORD, to you I call;
come quickly unto me.
Give ear unto my anxious voice
and hear me when I plead.
2 Like incense may my prayer
before your face arise;
the raising of my hands be like
the evening sacrifice.
3 Keep watch, LORD, on my mouth
and guard my lips, I pray;
4 let not my heart to evil thoughts
be drawn and led astray.
5 A righteous friend’s rebuke
will be a soothing balm;
such blows, in kindness aimed at me,
will never do me harm.
Against the wicked’s deeds
I make my constant prayer;
6 their rulers will be thrown from cliffs,
and they will perish there.
The wicked then will know
my words were spoken well.
7 Like ground that’s plowed, their bones are strewn
before the mouth of hell.
8 But now, O Sovereign LORD,
on you I fix my gaze;
do not deliver me to death—
you are my help always
Protect me from the traps
the wicked set for me,
10 and let them be ensnared themselves,
while I instead go free.
– Sing Psalms, alt.
Oremus 