Psalm 140-141
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
Psalm 140
Prayer for Deliverance from Enemies
To the leader. A Psalm of David.
1 Deliver me, O Lord, from evildoers;
protect me from those who are violent,(A)
2 who plan evil things in their minds
and stir up wars continually.(B)
3 They make their tongue sharp as a snake’s,
and under their lips is the venom of vipers. Selah(C)
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)
Psalm 141
Prayer for Preservation from Evil
A Psalm of David.
1 I call upon you, O Lord; come quickly to me;
give ear to my voice when I call to you.(N)
2 Let my prayer be counted as incense before you
and the lifting up of my hands as an evening sacrifice.(O)
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)
New Revised Standard Version, Updated Edition. Copyright © 2021 National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.