A Prayer of Trust

561 To the choirmaster: according to The Dove on Far-off Terebinths. A Miktam of David, when the Philistines seized him in Gath. Be gracious to me, O God, for men trample upon me; all day long foemen oppress me; 2 my enemies trample upon me all day long, for many fight against me proudly. 3 When I am afraid, I put my trust in thee. 4 In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust without a fear. What can flesh do to me? 5 All day long they seek to injure my cause; all their thoughts are against me for evil. 6 They band themselves together, they lurk, they watch my steps. As they have waited for my life, 7 so recompense them for their crime; in wrath cast down the peoples, O God!

8 Thou hast kept count of my tossings; put thou my tears in thy bottle! Are they not in thy book? 9 Then my enemies will be turned back in the day when I call. This I know, that God is for me. 10 In God, whose word I praise, in the Lord, whose word I praise, 11 in God I trust without a fear. What can man do to me? 12 My vows to thee I must perform, O God; I will render thank offerings to thee. 13 For thou hast delivered my soul from death, yea, my feet from falling, that I may walk before God in the light of life.

A Prayer for Deliverance from Deceitfulness

1201 A Song of Ascents. In my distress I cry to the Lord, that he may answer me: 2 "Deliver me, O Lord, from lying lips, from a deceitful tongue." 3 What shall be given to you? And what more shall be done to you, you deceitful tongue? 4 A warrior's sharp arrows, with glowing coals of the broom tree!

5 Woe is me, that I sojourn in Meshech, that I dwell among the tents of Kedar! 6 Too long have I had my dwelling among those who hate peace. 7 I am for peace; but when I speak, they are for war!

A Prayer for Protection against Persecutors

1401 To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. Deliver me, O Lord, from evil men; preserve me from violent men, 2 who plan evil things in their heart, and stir up wars continually. 3 They make their tongue sharp as a serpent's, and under their lips is the poison of vipers. [Selah] 4 Guard me, O Lord, from the hands of the wicked; preserve me from violent men, who have planned to trip up my feet. 5 Arrogant men have hidden a trap for me, and with cords they have spread a net, by the wayside they have set snares for me. [Selah] 6 I say to the Lord, Thou art my God; give ear to the voice of my supplications, O Lord! 7 O Lord, my Lord, my strong deliverer, thou hast covered my head in the day of battle.

8 Grant not, O Lord, the desires of the wicked; do not further his evil plot! [Selah] 9 Those who surround me lift up their head, let the mischief of their lips overwhelm them! 10 Let burning coals fall upon them! Let them be cast into pits, no more to rise! 11 Let not the slanderer be established in the land; let evil hunt down the violent man speedily! 12 I know that the Lord maintains the cause of the afflicted, and executes justice for the needy. 13 Surely the righteous shall give thanks to thy name; the upright shall dwell in thy presence.

A Prayer for Preservation from Evil

1411 A Psalm of David. I call upon thee, O Lord; make haste to me! Give ear to my voice, when I call to thee! 2 Let my prayer be counted as incense before thee, and the lifting up of my hands as an evening sacrifice! 3 Set a guard over my mouth, O Lord, keep watch over the door of my lips! 4 Incline not my heart to any evil, to busy myself with wicked deeds in company with men who work iniquity; and let me not eat of their dainties!

5 Let a good man strike or rebuke me in kindness, but let the oil of the wicked never anoint my head; for my prayer is continually against their wicked deeds. 6 When they are given over to those who shall condemn them, then they shall learn that the word of the Lord is true. 7 As a rock which one cleaves and shatters on the land, so shall their bones be strewn at the mouth of Sheol. 8 But my eyes are toward thee, O Lord God; in thee I seek refuge; leave me not defenseless! 9 Keep me from the trap which they have laid for me, and from the snares of evildoers! 10 Let the wicked together fall into their own nets, while I escape.

A Prayer for Help in Trouble

1421 A Maskil of David, when he was in the cave. A Prayer. I cry with my voice to the Lord, with my voice I make supplication to the Lord, 2 I pour out my complaint before him, I tell my trouble before him. 3 When my spirit is faint, thou knowest my way! In the path where I walk they have hidden a trap for me.

4 I look to the right and watch, but there is none who takes notice of me; no refuge remains to me, no man cares for me. 5 I cry to thee, O Lord; I say, Thou art my refuge, my portion in the land of the living. 6 Give heed to my cry; for I am brought very low! Deliver me from my persecutors; for they are too strong for me! 7 Bring me out of prison, that I may give thanks to thy name! The righteous will surround me; for thou wilt deal bountifully with me.