Psalm 140

Tree of Life Version

¹ For the music director: a psalm of David.
² Rescue me, Adonai, from the evil man.
Protect me from the violent men—
³ who devise evil in their heart—
    every day they stir up wars.
⁴ They sharpen their tongue like a serpent’s
—viper’s venom is under their lips.^[a] Selah
⁵ Keep me safe, Adonai, from the clutches of the wicked.
Protect me from the man of violence who planned to push me off my feet.
⁶ The proud have hidden a trap and cords for me.
They spread out a net by the path.
They set snares for me. Selah
⁷ I said to Adonai: “You are my God!”
Hear, Adonai, the sound of my supplications.
⁸ God my Lord, the strength of my deliverance,
You shield my head in the day of battle.
⁹ Grant not, Adonai, the desires of the wicked.
Do not let their evil plan succeed,
or they will exalt themselves. Selah
¹⁰ As for the head of those surrounding me,
may the mischief of their lips overwhelm them.
¹¹ Let burning coals fall upon them.
May they be cast into the fire, into deep pits,
never to rise again.^[b]
12 May a slanderer not endure in the land.
May calamity hunt down a violent man.
¹³ I know Adonai will vindicate the poor,
and secure justice for the needy.
¹⁴ Surely, the righteous ones will praise Your name.
The upright will dwell in Your presence.