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Psalm 140
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)

Footnotes

  1. 140.5 Or they have spread cords as a net
  2. 140.8 Heb adds they are exalted
  3. 140.9 Cn: Heb those who surround me are uplifted in head
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Psalm 140
International Standard Version

To the Music Director: A Davidic Song

A Prayer for Deliverance

140 [a]Deliver me, Lord, from evil people,
    preserve me from violent men,
2 who craft evil plans in their minds,
    inciting wars every day.[b]
3 They sharpen their tongues like a serpent;
    the venom of vipers is on their lips.
Interlude

4 Protect me, Lord, from the control of evil people,
    from violent men who have planned to trip me.
5 The arrogant have laid a trap for me;
    they have spread a net with ropes,
        lining it with snares along the way.
Interlude

6 So I say to the Lord, “You are my God;
    listen to my voice
        as I plead for mercy, Lord.
7 Lord, my Lord, my strong deliverer,
    you have protected my head in the time[c] of battle.
8 Never grant, Lord, the desires of the wicked;
    never condone their plans
        so they cannot exalt themselves.
Interlude

9 May those who surround me discover
    that the trouble they talk about falls on their own head!
10 May burning coals fall on them;
    may they be cast into fire,
        and into miry pits, never to rise again.
11 Let not the slanderer[d] become established in the land.
    May evil quickly hunt down the violent man.
12 I know that the Lord will act on behalf of the tormented,
    providing justice for the needy.

13 Surely the righteous will give thanks to your name,
    while the upright live in your presence.

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 140:1 V.1 is v. 2 in MT, and so throughout the chapter.
  2. Psalm 140:2 Lit. all day; LXX DSS 11QPsa read all the day
  3. Psalm 140:7 Lit. day
  4. Psalm 140:11 Lit. the man of tongue
Listen to Psalm 140
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Psalm 140
New International Version

Psalm 140[a]

For the director of music. A psalm of David.

1 Rescue me,(A) Lord, from evildoers;
    protect me from the violent,(B)
2 who devise evil plans(C) in their hearts
    and stir up war(D) every day.
3 They make their tongues as sharp as(E) a serpent’s;
    the poison of vipers(F) is on their lips.[b]

4 Keep me safe,(G) Lord, from the hands of the wicked;(H)
    protect me from the violent,
    who devise ways to trip my feet.
5 The arrogant have hidden a snare(I) for me;
    they have spread out the cords of their net(J)
    and have set traps(K) for me along my path.

6 I say to the Lord, “You are my God.”(L)
    Hear, Lord, my cry for mercy.(M)
7 Sovereign Lord,(N) my strong deliverer,
    you shield my head in the day of battle.
8 Do not grant the wicked(O) their desires, Lord;
    do not let their plans succeed.

9 Those who surround me proudly rear their heads;
    may the mischief of their lips engulf them.(P)
10 May burning coals fall on them;
    may they be thrown into the fire,(Q)
    into miry pits, never to rise.
11 May slanderers not be established in the land;
    may disaster hunt down the violent.(R)

12 I know that the Lord secures justice for the poor(S)
    and upholds the cause(T) of the needy.(U)
13 Surely the righteous will praise your name,(V)
    and the upright will live(W) in your presence.(X)

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 140:1 In Hebrew texts 140:1-13 is numbered 140:2-14.
  2. Psalm 140:3 The Hebrew has Selah (a word of uncertain meaning) here and at the end of verses 5 and 8.
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Psalm 139
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