Psalm 140

Prayer for Protection against the Wicked.

For the music director. A Psalm of David.

1 Rescue me, Lord, from evil people;

Protect me from violent men

2 Who devise evil things in their hearts;

They continually stir up wars.

3 They sharpen their tongues like a snake;

The venom of a viper is under their lips. Selah

4 Keep me, Lord, from the hands of the wicked;

Protect me from violent men

Who *140:4 Or deviseintend to *140:4 Lit pushtrip up my feet.

5 The proud have hidden a trap for me, and snares;

They have spread a net at the *140:5 Lit trackwayside;

They have set snares for me. Selah

6 I said to the Lord, "You are my God;

Listen, Lord, to the sound of my pleadings.

7 "*140:7 Heb YHWH, usually rendered LordGod the Lord, the strength of my salvation,

You have covered my head on the day of *140:7 Lit weaponsbattle.

8 "Do not grant, Lord, the desires of the wicked;

Do not bring about his evil planning, so that they are not exalted. Selah

9 "As for the head of those who surround me,

May the harm of their lips cover them.

10 "May burning coals fall upon them;

May they be cast into the fire,

Into bottomless pits from which they cannot rise.

11 "May a *140:11 Lit man of tongueslanderer not endure on the earth;

May evil hunt a violent person *140:11 Lit blow upon blowviolently."

12 I know that the Lord will maintain the cause of the afflicted,

And justice for the poor.

13 Certainly the righteous will give thanks to Your name;

The upright will dwell in Your presence.