140 ⁽⁰⁾ For the leader. A psalm of David:

^2 (1) Rescue me, Adonai, from evil people,
protect me from violent people.
^3 (2) They plan evil things in their hearts —
they continually stir up bitter strife.
^4 (3) They have made their tongues as sharp as a snake’s;
viper’s venom is under their lips. (Selah)

^5 (4) Keep me, Adonai, from the hands of the wicked,
protect me from violent people
who are trying to trip me up.
^6 (5) The arrogant hide snares for me;
they spread nets by the side of the road,
hoping to trap me there. (Selah)

^7 (6) I said to Adonai, “You are my God;
listen, Adonai, to my plea for mercy.”
^8 (7) Adonai, Adonai, my saving strength,
my helmet shielding my head in battle,
^9 (8) Adonai, don’t grant the wicked their wishes;
make their plot fail, so they won’t grow proud. (Selah)
^10 (9) May the heads of those who surround me
be engulfed in the evil they spoke of, themselves.
^11 (10) May burning coals rain down on them,
may they be flung into the fire,
flung into deep pits,
never to rise again.
^12 (11) Let slanderers find no place in the land;
let the violent and evil be hunted relentlessly.

^13 (12) I know that Adonai gives justice to the poor
and maintains the rights of the needy.
^14 (13) The righteous will surely give thanks to your name;
the upright will live in your presence.