A Prayer for Protection against Oppressors

171 Hear, Yahweh, my righteous plea;
Give ear to my prayer, that doesn’t go out of deceitful lips. 2 Let my sentence come forth from your presence.
Let your eyes look on equity. 3 You have proved my heart.
You have visited me in the night.
You have tried me, and found nothing.
I have resolved that my mouth shall not disobey. 4 As for the works of men, by the word of your lips,
I have kept myself from the ways of the violent. 5 My steps have held fast to your paths.
My feet have not slipped. 6 I have called on you, for you will answer me, God.
Turn your ear to me.
Hear my speech. 7 Show your marvelous loving kindness,
you who save those who take refuge by your right hand from their enemies.

8 Keep me as the apple of your eye.
Hide me under the shadow of your wings, 9 from the wicked who oppress me,
my deadly enemies, who surround me. 10 They close up their callous hearts.
With their mouth they speak proudly. 11 They have now surrounded us in our steps.
They set their eyes to cast us down to the earth. 12 He is like a lion that is greedy of his prey,
as it were a young lion lurking in secret places. 13 Arise, Yahweh, confront him.
Cast him down.
Deliver my soul from the wicked by your sword; 14 from men by your hand, Yahweh,
from men of the world, whose portion is in this life.
You fill the belly of your cherished ones.
Your sons have plenty,
and they store up wealth for their children. 15 As for me, I shall see your face in righteousness.
I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with seeing your form.

A Morning Prayer of Trust in God

31 Yahweh, how my adversaries have increased!
Many are those who rise up against me. 2 Many there are who say of my soul,
“There is no help for him in God.” Selah. 3 But you, Yahweh, are a shield around me,
my glory, and the one who lifts up my head.

4 I cry to Yahweh with my voice,
and he answers me out of his holy hill. Selah. 5 I laid myself down and slept.
I awakened; for Yahweh sustains me. 6 I will not be afraid of tens of thousands of people
who have set themselves against me on every side. 7 Arise, Yahweh!
Save me, my God!
For you have struck all of my enemies on the cheek bone.
You have broken the teeth of the wicked. 8 Salvation belongs to Yahweh.
Your blessing be on your people. Selah.