1 O Lord, I call to you; come to me quickly; ♦
hear my voice when I cry to you.
2 Let my prayer rise before you as incense, ♦
the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice.
3 Set a watch before my mouth, O Lord, ♦
and guard the door of my lips;
4 Let not my heart incline to any evil thing; ♦
let me not be occupied in wickedness with evildoers,
nor taste the pleasures of their table.
5 Let the righteous smite me in friendly rebuke;
but let not the oil of the unrighteous anoint my head; ♦
for my prayer is continually against their wicked deeds.
6 Let their rulers be overthrown in stony places; ♦
then they may know that my words are sweet.
7 As when a plough turns over the earth in furrows, ♦
let their bones be scattered at the mouth of the Pit.
8 But my eyes are turned to you, Lord God; ♦
in you I take refuge; do not leave me defenceless.
9 Protect me from the snare which they have laid for me ♦
and from the traps of the evildoers.
10 Let the wicked fall into their own nets, ♦
while I pass by in safety.
Common Worship: Services and Prayers for the Church of England, material from which is included here,
is copyright © The Archbishops' Council 2000 and published by Church House Publishing.