Psalm 140

Prayer for Rescue

For the choir director. A Davidic psalm.

1 Rescue me, Lord, from evil men.

Keep me safe from violent men a

2 who plan evil in their hearts.

They stir up wars all day long. b

3 They make their tongues

as sharp as a snake’s bite;

viper’s venom is under their lips. c * Selah

4 Protect me, Lord,

from the clutches of the wicked. d

Keep me safe from violent men

who plan to make me stumble. e f

5 The proud hide a trap with ropes for me;

they spread a net along the path

and set snares for me. g Selah

6 I say to the Lord, “You are my God.”

Listen, Lord, to my cry for help. h

7 Lord God, my strong Savior,

You shield my head on the day of battle. i

8 Lord, do not grant the desires of the wicked;

do not let them achieve their goals.

Otherwise, they will become proud. j Selah

9 When those who surround me rise up, k

may the trouble their lips cause overwhelm them. l

10 Let hot coals fall on them.

Let them be thrown into the fire,

into the abyss, never again to rise. m

11 Do not let a slanderer stay in the land.

Let evil relentlessly n hunt down a violent man. o

12 I p know that the Lord upholds

the just cause of the poor,

justice for the needy. q

13 Surely the righteous will praise Your name;

the upright will live in Your presence. r