1 I call to you, Lord; help me now!

Listen to me when I call to you.

2 * Receive my prayer as incense,

my uplifted hands as an evening sacrifice.

3 Lord, place a guard at my mouth,

a sentry at the door of my lips.

4 Keep me from wanting to do wrong

and from joining evil people in their wickedness.

May I never take part in their feasts.

5 Good people may punish me and rebuke me in kindness,

but I will never accept honor from evil people,

because I am always praying against their evil deeds.

6 When their rulers are thrown down from rocky cliffs,

the people will admit that my words were true.

7 Like wood that is split and chopped into bits,

so their bones are scattered at the edge of the grave.*

8 But I keep trusting in you, my Sovereign Lord.

I seek your protection;

don't let me die!

9 Protect me from the traps they have set for me,

from the snares of those evildoers.

10 May the wicked fall into their own traps

while I go by unharmed.