³ Set a guard over my mouth,^(A) Lord;
    keep watch over the door of my lips.^(B)
4 Do not let my heart^(C) be drawn to what is evil
    so that I take part in wicked deeds^(D)
along with those who are evildoers;
    do not let me eat their delicacies.^(E)

⁵ Let a righteous man strike me—that is a kindness;
    let him rebuke me^(F)—that is oil on my head.^(G)
My head will not refuse it,
    for my prayer will still be against the deeds of evildoers.

⁶ Their rulers will be thrown down from the cliffs,^(H)
    and the wicked will learn that my words were well spoken.
⁷ They will say, “As one plows^(I) and breaks up the earth,^(J)
    so our bones have been scattered at the mouth^(K) of the grave.”

⁸ But my eyes are fixed^(L) on you, Sovereign Lord;
    in you I take refuge^(M)—do not give me over to death.
⁹ Keep me safe^(N) from the traps set by evildoers,^(O)
    from the snares^(P) they have laid for me.
¹⁰ Let the wicked fall^(Q) into their own nets,
    while I pass by in safety.^(R)