Page:Book of common prayer (TEC, 1979).pdf/665

 They are as venomous as a serpent, * they are like the deaf adder which stops its ears,

Which does not heed the voice of the charmer, * no matter how skillful his charming.

O God, break their teeth in their mouths; * pull the fangs of the young lions, O.

Let them vanish like water that runs off; * let them wither like trodden grass.

Let them be like the snail that melts away, * like a stillborn child that never sees the sun.

Before they bear fruit, let them be cut down like a brier; * like thorns and thistles let them be swept away.

The righteous will be glad when they see the vengeance; * they will bathe their feet in the blood of the wicked.

And they will say, “Surely, there is a reward for the righteous; * surely, there is a God who rules in the earth.”

Rescue me from my enemies, O God; * protect me from those who rise up against me.

Rescue me from evildoers * and save me from those who thirst for my blood.

See how they lie in wait for my life, how the mighty gather together against me; * not for any offense or fault of mine, O.