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Psalm 140

For the Music Director. A Psalm of David.

Deliver me, O Lord, from evil men;
    protect me from violent men,
who plan evil deeds in their heart
    and continually gather together for conflicts.
They have tongues as sharp as a serpent;
    adders’ poison is with their lips. Selah

Keep me, O Lord, from the hands of the wicked;
    preserve me from the violent men
    who have planned to overthrow me.
The proud have hid a snare for me,
    and with cords they have spread a net;
    they have set traps for me. Selah

I said to the Lord, “You are my God;
    hear the voice of my supplications, O Lord.”
O God my Lord, the strength of my salvation,
    You have covered my head in the day of battle.
Grant not, O Lord, the desires of the wicked;
    do not allow his evil plot,
    lest he be raised up. Selah

As for the head of those who encompass me,
    let the mischief of their own lips overwhelm them;
10 let burning coals fall upon them;
    let them be cast into the fire,
    into deep pits that they do not rise up again.
11 Let not an evil speaker be established in the land;
    let evil hunt the violent man to overthrow him!

12 I know that the Lord will maintain the cause of the afflicted
    and will give justice to the poor.
13 Surely the righteous shall give thanks unto Your name;
    the upright shall dwell in Your presence.

Psalm 140[a]

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.[b]

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 snare(I) 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)
10 May burning coals fall on them;
    may they be thrown into the fire,(Q)
    into miry pits, never to rise.
11 May slanderers not be established in the land;
    may disaster hunt down the violent.(R)

12 I know that the Lord secures justice for the poor(S)
    and upholds the cause(T) of the needy.(U)
13 Surely the righteous will praise your name,(V)
    and the upright will live(W) in your presence.(X)

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 140:1 In Hebrew texts 140:1-13 is numbered 140:2-14.
  2. Psalm 140:3 The Hebrew has Selah (a word of uncertain meaning) here and at the end of verses 5 and 8.