O Lord God, strength of our health

    who avenges the poor and maintains the cause of the helpless,

  deliver us, O Lord,

    and preserve us from the evil and the wicked,

    that neither their example may corrupt us,

    nor their counsels mislead us,

    nor their prosperity scandalize us,

    nor their strife disquiet us,

    nor their mischief disturb our safety;

but do cover our heads in the day of battle and contestation

    against all our bodily and ghostly enemies;

    that although they hunt us to overthrow us,

  yet we may prosper on earth under your favor and protection,

    and at last, being removed from all fears and sadness and dangers,

    may continue in your sight among the congregation of the just forever,

through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.

 

Jeremy Taylor, 1613–1667, English cleric, imprisoned during the Protectorate

 

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Guard me, O Lord, from the hands of the wicked;                                                                                  preserve me from violent men,
    who have planned to trip up my feet.
The arrogant have hidden a trap for me,
    and with cords they have spread a net;
    beside the way they have set snares for me. 

I say to the Lord, You are my God;
    give ear to the voice of my pleas for mercy, O Lord!
O Lord, my Lord, the strength of my salvation,
    you have covered my head in the day of battle.
Grant not, O Lord, the desires of the wicked;
    do not further their evil plot, or they will be exalted!