Add parallel Print Page Options

For the Chief Musician. A Psalm by David.

140 Deliver me, Yahweh, from the evil man.
    Preserve me from the violent man:
those who devise mischief in their hearts.
    They continually gather themselves together for war.
They have sharpened their tongues like a serpent.
    Viper’s poison is under their lips. Selah.
Yahweh, keep me from the hands of the wicked.
    Preserve me from the violent men who have determined to trip my feet.
The proud have hidden a snare for me,
    they have spread the cords of a net by the path.
    They have set traps for me. Selah.
I said to Yahweh, “You are my God.”
    Listen to the cry of my petitions, Yahweh.
Yahweh, the Lord, the strength of my salvation,
    you have covered my head in the day of battle.
Yahweh, don’t grant the desires of the wicked.
    Don’t let their evil plans succeed, or they will become proud. Selah.
As for the head of those who surround me,
    let the mischief of their own lips cover them.
10 Let burning coals fall on them.
    Let them be thrown into the fire,
    into miry pits, from where they never rise.
11 An evil speaker won’t be established in the earth.
    Evil will hunt the violent man to overthrow him.
12 I know that Yahweh will maintain the cause of the afflicted,
    and justice for the needy.
13 Surely the righteous will give thanks to your name.
    The upright will dwell in your presence.

Psalm 140

For the choir director: A psalm of David.

O Lord, rescue me from evil people.
    Protect me from those who are violent,
those who plot evil in their hearts
    and stir up trouble all day long.
Their tongues sting like a snake;
    the venom of a viper drips from their lips. Interlude

O Lord, keep me out of the hands of the wicked.
    Protect me from those who are violent,
    for they are plotting against me.
The proud have set a trap to catch me;
    they have stretched out a net;
    they have placed traps all along the way. Interlude

I said to the Lord, “You are my God!”
    Listen, O Lord, to my cries for mercy!
O Sovereign Lord, the strong one who rescued me,
    you protected me on the day of battle.
Lord, do not let evil people have their way.
    Do not let their evil schemes succeed,
    or they will become proud. Interlude

Let my enemies be destroyed
    by the very evil they have planned for me.
10 Let burning coals fall down on their heads.
    Let them be thrown into the fire
    or into watery pits from which they can’t escape.
11 Don’t let liars prosper here in our land.
    Cause great disasters to fall on the violent.

12 But I know the Lord will help those they persecute;
    he will give justice to the poor.
13 Surely righteous people are praising your name;
    the godly will live in your presence.