Psalm 140

A Prayer for Protection^t

140 Save me, Lord, from evildoers;

keep me safe from violent people.

²They are always plotting evil,

always stirring up quarrels.

^3*Their tongues are like deadly snakes;

their words are like a cobra’s poison.

⁴Protect me, Lord, from the power of the wicked;

keep me safe from violent people

who plot my downfall.

⁵The proud have set a trap for me;

they have laid their snares

and along the path they have set traps to catch me.

⁶I say to the Lord, “You are my God.”

Hear my cry for help, Lord!

⁷My Sovereign Lord, my strong defender,

you have protected me in battle.

⁸Lord, don’t give the wicked what they want;

don’t let their plots succeed.

⁹Don’t let my enemies be victorious;^u

make their threats against me fall back on them.

¹⁰May red-hot coals fall on them;

may they be thrown into a pit and never get out.

¹¹May those who accuse others falsely not succeed;

may evil overtake violent people and destroy them.

¹²Lord, I know that you defend the cause of the poor

and the rights of the needy.

¹³The righteous will praise you indeed;

they will live in your presence.