Psalm 140

Psalm 140[a]

For the director of music. A psalm of David.

1Rescue me, Lord, from evildoers;
    protect me from the violent,
2who devise evil plans in their hearts
    and stir up war every day.
3They make their tongues as sharp as a serpent’s;
    the poison of vipers is on their lips.[b]

4Keep me safe, Lord, from the hands of the wicked;
    protect me from the violent,
    who devise ways to trip my feet.
5The arrogant have hidden a snare for me;
    they have spread out the cords of their net
    and have set traps for me along my path.

6I say to the Lord, “You are my God.”
    Hear, Lord, my cry for mercy.
7Sovereign Lord, my strong deliverer,
    you shield my head in the day of battle.
8Do not grant the wicked their desires, Lord;
    do not let their plans succeed.

9Those who surround me proudly rear their heads;
    may the mischief of their lips engulf them.
10May burning coals fall on them;
    may they be thrown into the fire,
    into miry pits, never to rise.
11May slanderers not be established in the land;
    may disaster hunt down the violent.

12I know that the Lord secures justice for the poor
    and upholds the cause of the needy.
13Surely the righteous will praise your name,
    and the upright will live in your presence.

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.
Psalm 140