The Official Site of Andy Boucher

1 Strengthen me, equip me for the fight—or better,pull me out of the fight (Your will be done), O Yahweh with these ill favoredhumans of violence.

Guard me and protect me—conceal me—fromthe unjust and violent oppressors.

2 They weavetogether fabricated plots of mischief, harm, and annoyance from the centre oftheir being.

Day after day they gather to engagein war

3 They sharpen theirtongues like snakes

They use their sharp words toinculcate others and deceive them like a snake

Their angry poison like a snake’sis found in their lips.

Stopand think about this.

4 Guard me around with a hedge of protection OYahweh, from the powerful hands of these actively bad people.

Protect and conceal me frombeing besieged by the violent people, who are out for unjust gain,

Those who have purposed andcontrived to overthrow and drive me away and trip me up.

5 The arrogant ones have secretly laid a snare;they have prepared to spring a trap to ruin me, a noose to tighten around me.

They have spread a net along mypath—a hook for my nose.

I pause to consider this.

6 I said to Yahweh, You are my Almighty God,

Broaden Your ear to the sound ofmy voice and my earnest prayers of entreaty, O Yahweh.

7 O Yahweh Adonai, the strength, force, andsecurity of my prosperous salvation and victory;

You have covered my head in theday of battle.

8 Do not grant, O Yahweh, the desires of thosewho are morally wrongs and wicked.

Do not let their plot succeed

Or they will l make themselvesproud and act presumptuously.

Pause for contemplation.

9 Regarding the captain of those who surround me,

Let the grievousness and toil oftheir own lips overwhelm them.

10 Let fiery hotcoals fall on them.

Let them be cast into the fire;

Into the abyss so they cantescape.

11 Don’t let one whotalks evil and slander be established and prosperous in our land.

Adversity, calamity, grief, and wretchedness will lie inwait and catch the violent and unjust oppressor and overthrown him—bringing himto ruin.

12 I have observed carefully and have seenthat Yahweh will follow the trial of those afflicted;

Of those who are depressed inmind and circumstances by need and affliction.

And the sentences that arehanded down on those who are in want and destitute.

13 Surely the man that is just, lawful, andrighteous will worship and confess thanks to Your name and renown.

Those who are just, equitable,and righteous will remain and take up habitation in Your Presence.