Psalm 140

Prayer for Protection against the Wicked.

For the choir director. A Psalm of David.

1 Rescue me, O LORD, from evil men;
Preserve me from violent men

2 Who devise evil things in their hearts;
They continually stir up wars.

3 They sharpen their tongues as a serpent;
Poison of a viper is under their lips. Selah.

4 Keep me, O LORD, from the hands of the wicked;
Preserve me from violent men
Who have purposed to ttrip up my feet.

5 The proud have hidden a trap for me, and cords;
They have spread a net by the wayside;
They have set snares for me. Selah.

6 I said to the LORD, "You are my God;
Give ear, O LORD, to the voice of my supplications.

7 "O GOD the Lord, the strength of my salvation,
You have covered my head in the day of battle.

8 "Do not grant, O LORD, the desires of the wicked;
Do not promote his evil device, that they not be exalted. Selah.

9 "As for the head of those who surround me,
May the mischief of their lips cover them.

10 "May burning coals fall upon them;
May they be cast into the fire,
Into deep pits from which they cannot rise.

11 "May a slanderer not be established in the earth;
May evil hunt the violent man tspeedily."

12 I know that the LORD will maintain the cause of the afflicted
And justice for the poor.

13 Surely the righteous will give thanks to Your name;
The upright will dwell in Your presence.

Psalm 140

1 Deliver me, O Jehovah, from the evil man; Preserve me from the violent man:

2 Who devise mischiefs in their heart; Continually do they gather themselves together for war.

3 They have sharpened their tongue like a serpent; Adders’ poison is under their lips. Selah

4 Keep me, O Jehovah, from the hands of the wicked; Preserve me from the violent man: Who have purposed to thrust aside my steps.

5 The proud have hid a snare for me, and cords; They have spread a net by the wayside; They have set gins for me. Selah

6 I said unto Jehovah, Thou art my God: Give ear unto the voice of my supplications, O Jehovah.

7 O Jehovah the Lord, the strength of my salvation, Thou hast covered my head in the day of battle.

8 Grant not, O Jehovah, the desires of the wicked; Further not his evil device, lest they exalt themselves. Selah

9 As for the head of those that compass me about, Let the mischief of their own lips cover them.

10 Let burning coals fall upon them: Let them be cast into the fire, Into deep pits, whence they shall not rise.

11 An evil speaker shall not be established in the earth: Evil shall hunt the violent man to overthrow him.

12 I know that Jehovah will maintain the cause of the afflicted, And justice for the needy.

13 Surely the righteous shall give thanks unto thy name: The upright shall dwell in thy presence.