Psalm 140-143

New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition

⁴ Guard me, O Lord, from the hands of the wicked;
    protect me from the violent
    who have planned my downfall.^(D)
5 The arrogant have hidden a trap for me,
    and with cords they have spread a net,^[a]
    along the road they have set snares for me. Selah^(E)

⁶ I say to the Lord, “You are my God;
    give ear, O Lord, to the voice of my supplications.”^(F)
7 O Lord, my Lord, my strong deliverer,
    you have covered my head in the day of battle.^(G)
8 Do not grant, O Lord, the desires of the wicked;
    do not further their evil plot.^[b] Selah^(H)

⁹ Those who surround me lift up their heads;^[c]
    let the mischief of their lips overwhelm them!^(I)
10 Let burning coals fall on them!
    Let them be flung into pits, no more to rise!^(J)
11 Do not let the slanderer be established in the land;
    let evil speedily hunt down the violent!^(K)

¹² I know that the Lord maintains the cause of the needy
    and executes justice for the poor.^(L)
13 Surely the righteous shall give thanks to your name;
    the upright shall live in your presence.^(M)

³ Set a guard over my mouth, O Lord;
    keep watch over the door of my lips.
⁴ Do not turn my heart to any evil,
    to busy myself with wicked deeds
in company with those who work iniquity;
    do not let me eat of their delicacies.^(P)

⁵ Let the righteous strike me;
    let the faithful correct me.
Never let the oil of the wicked anoint my head,^[d]
    for my prayer is continually^[e] against their wicked deeds.^(Q)
6 When they are given over to those who shall condemn them,
    then they shall learn that my words were pleasant.
⁷ Like a rock that one breaks apart and shatters on the land,
    so shall their bones be strewn at the mouth of Sheol.^[f](R)

⁸ But my eyes are turned toward you, O God, my Lord;
    in you I seek refuge; do not leave me defenseless.^(S)
9 Keep me from the trap that they have laid for me
    and from the snares of evildoers.^(T)
10 Let the wicked fall into their own nets,
    while I alone escape.^(U)

In the path where I walk,
    they have hidden a trap for me.^(X)
4 Look on my right hand and see:
    there is no one who takes notice of me;
no refuge remains to me;
    no one cares for me.^(Y)

⁵ I cry to you, O Lord;
    I say, “You are my refuge,
    my portion in the land of the living.”^(Z)
6 Listen to my cry,
    for I am brought very low.

Save me from my persecutors,
    for they are too strong for me.^(AA)
7 Bring me out of prison,
    so that I may give thanks to your name.
The righteous will surround me,
    for you will deal bountifully with me.^(AB)

³ For the enemy has pursued me,
    crushing my life to the ground,
    making me sit in darkness like those long dead.
⁴ Therefore my spirit faints within me;
    my heart within me is appalled.^(AE)

⁵ I remember the days of old;
    I think about all your deeds;
    I meditate on the works of your hands.^(AF)
6 I stretch out my hands to you;
    my soul thirsts for you like a parched land. Selah^(AG)

⁷ Answer me quickly, O Lord;
    my spirit fails.
Do not hide your face from me,
    or I shall be like those who go down to the Pit.^(AH)
8 Let me hear of your steadfast love in the morning,
    for in you I put my trust.
Teach me the way I should go,
    for to you I lift up my soul.^(AI)

⁹ Save me, O Lord, from my enemies;
    I have fled to you for refuge.^[g](AJ)
10 Teach me to do your will,
    for you are my God.
Let your good spirit lead me
    on a level path.^(AK)

¹¹ For your name’s sake, O Lord, preserve my life.
    In your righteousness bring me out of trouble.^(AL)
12 In your steadfast love cut off my enemies,
    and destroy all my adversaries,
    for I am your servant.^(AM)