(Worship leader: A David psalm.)
Keep me safe from the Destroyers, Yahweh.
Protect me from the Violent,
These plotters,
These experts at evil,
These hawks whose daily bread is war.
These venemous snakes flick their forked tongues.
These rattlesnakes have poison on their lips.
(Pause. Reorient.)
Be my bodyguard, Yahweh,
Keeping me out of the hands of the Destroyers.
Protect me from the Violent,
These snare setters
Trying to trip me up
And tie me down,
Trying to tangle me in their spider webs.
(Pause. Reorient again.)
I stop.
I pray.
“You’re my God, Yahweh.
Listen, Yahweh,
I’m begging you.
Yahweh!
Lord!
My strength!
My salvation!
My armor in the thick of the fight.
Don’t let these Destroyers get what they want, Yahweh.
Don’t give them another victory
To boast about.
(Pause. Reorient yet again.)
Here’s what I’d like to see:
These people surrounding me,
Besieging me,
Make them choke on their own words.
Instead of water from the skies,
Let fire rain down on them.
Let them get sucked down
Into a swamp of fire,
Never to arise again.
Slanderers must be stopped!
Shut them up!
The Violent and the Destroyer,
Let them become prey,
Hunted,
Chased down by dogs,
Shot down by guns.
I know this:
Yahweh runs to the side of the victim,
The vulnerable.
Those committed to doing what’s right
Will see you do it
And thank you for it.
They will stand up straight
In your Presence.