Psalm 140

Rescue Me From Evil Men

¹Keep me safe, Lord , from the evil man.

Protect me from the violent man,

²who plans evil in his heart.

Every day they gather for battle.

³They sharpen their tongues like a snake.

The poison of vipers is under their lips. Interlude

⁴Keep me safe, Lord , from the hands of the wicked.

Protect me from the violent man, who plans to trip my feet.

⁵The proud have hidden a snare for me, and ropes.[#140:5 This word seems to dangle and is omitted by many translators.]

They have spread out a net along my route.

They have set traps for me. Interlude

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

Hear, O Lord , the sound of my cry for mercy.

⁷O Lord , my Lord, the strength of my salvation,

you cover my head on the day for weapons.

⁸Do not grant, O Lord , the desires of the wicked.

Do not let their scheme succeed, when they rise up. Interlude

⁹May the trouble caused by their lips

fall on the heads of those who surround me.

¹⁰Let burning coals fall on them.

Cause them to fall into the fire,

or into pits from which they will never rise.

¹¹Do not let the slanderer be established in the land.[#140:11 Or boaster]

As for the man of violence—

may evil hunt him and beat him down.

¹²I know that the Lord will provide justice for the oppressed,

judgment for the poor.

¹³Surely the righteous will give thanks to your name.

The upright will live in your presence.