Psalm 140a

For the director of music. A psalm of David.

1 Rescue me,v Lord, from evildoers;

protect me from the violent,w

2 who devise evil plansx in their hearts

and stir up wary every day.

3 They make their tongues as sharp asz a serpent’s;

the poison of vipersa is on their lips.b

4 Keep me safe,b Lord, from the hands of the wicked;c

protect me from the violent,

who devise ways to trip my feet.

5 The arrogant have hidden a snared for me;

they have spread out the cords of their nete

and have set trapsf for me along my path.

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

Hear, Lord, my cry for mercy.h

7 Sovereign Lord,i my strong deliverer,

you shield my head in the day of battle.

8 Do not grant the wickedj their desires, Lord;

do not let their plans succeed.

9 Those who surround me proudly rear their heads;

may the mischief of their lips engulf them.k

10 May burning coals fall on them;

may they be thrown into the fire,l

into miry pits, never to rise.

11 May slanderers not be established in the land;

may disaster hunt down the violent.m

12 I know that the Lord secures justice for the poorn

and upholds the causeo of the needy.p

13 Surely the righteous will praise your name,q

and the upright will liver in your presence.s