Psalm 140

PSALM 140

To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David.

¹Deliver me, O Lord, from evil men;

preserve me from violent men,

²who plan evil things in their heart,

and stir up wars continually.

³They make their tongue sharp as a serpent’s,

and under their lips is the poison of vipers. Selah

⁴Guard me, O Lord, from the hands of the wicked;

preserve me from violent men,

who have planned to trip up my feet.

⁵Arrogant men have hidden a trap for me,

and with cords they have spread a net,

by the wayside they have set snares for me. Selah

⁶I say to the Lord, Thou art my God;

give ear to the voice of my supplications, O Lord!

⁷O Lord, my Lord, my strong deliverer,

thou hast covered my head in the day of battle.

⁸Grant not, O Lord, the desires of the wicked;

do not further his evil plot! Selah

⁹Those who surround me lift up their head,^z

let the mischief of their lips overwhelm them!

¹⁰Let burning coals fall upon them!

Let them be cast into pits, no more to rise!

¹¹Let not the slanderer be established in the land;

let evil hunt down the violent man speedily!

¹²I know that the Lord maintains the cause of the afflicted,

and executes justice for the needy.

¹³Surely the righteous shall give thanks to thy name;

the upright shall dwell in thy presence.