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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

Prayer for Deliverance from Enemies

To the leader. A Psalm of David.

Deliver me, O Lord, from evildoers;
    protect me from those who are violent,(A)
who plan evil things in their minds
    and stir up wars continually.(B)
They make their tongue sharp as a snake’s,
    and under their lips is the venom of vipers. Selah(C)

Guard me, O Lord, from the hands of the wicked;
    protect me from the violent
    who have planned my downfall.(D)
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)

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

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