Psalm 140

Psalm 140

For the director of music. A psalm of David.

^*Rescue me,^a Lord, from evildoers;

protect me from the violent,^b

who devise evil plans^c in their hearts

and stir up war^d every day.

They make their tongues as sharp as^e a serpent’s;

the poison of vipers^f is on their lips.

Keep me safe,^g Lord, from the hands of the wicked;^h

protect me from the violent,

who devise ways to trip my feet.

The arrogant have hidden a snareⁱ for me;

they have spread out the cords of their net^j

and have set traps^k for me along my path.

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

Hear, Lord, my cry for mercy.^m

Sovereign Lord,ⁿ my strong deliverer,

you shield my head in the day of battle.

Do not grant the wicked^o their desires, Lord;

do not let their plans succeed.

Those who surround me proudly rear their heads;

may the mischief of their lips engulf them.^p

May burning coals fall on them;

may they be thrown into the fire,^q

into miry pits, never to rise.

May slanderers not be established in the land;

may disaster hunt down the violent.^r

I know that the Lord secures justice for the poor^s

and upholds the cause^t of the needy.^u

Surely the righteous will praise your name,^v

and the upright will live^w in your presence.^x