Psalm 140

Psalm 140

For the director of music. A psalm of David.

¹Lord, save me from sinful men.

Keep me safe from those who want to hurt me.

²They make evil plans in their hearts.

They are always starting fights.

³Their tongues are as deadly as the tongue of a serpent.

The words from their lips are like the poison of a snake. Selah

⁴Lord, keep me out of the hands of sinful people.

Keep me safe from men who want to hurt me.

They plan to trip me up and make me fall.

⁵Proud people have hidden their traps to catch me.

They have spread out their nets.

They have set traps for me along my path. Selah

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

Lord, hear my cry for your favor.

⁷Lord and King, you save me because you are strong.

You are like a shield that keeps me safe in the day of battle.

⁸Lord, don’t give sinners what they want.

Don’t let their plans succeed.

If you do, they will become proud. Selah

⁹Those who are all around me have caused me trouble

by what their lips have said.

Let that trouble fall on their own heads.

¹⁰Let burning coals fall on people like that.

May they be thrown into the fire.

May they be thrown into muddy pits and never get out.

¹¹Don’t let men who tell lies about me settle down in the land.

May trouble hunt down those who want to hurt me.

¹²I know that the Lord makes sure that poor people are treated fairly.

He stands up for those who are in need.

¹³I’m sure that those who do right will praise your name.

Those who are honest will live with you.