Psalm 140

Prayer for Rescue

For the choir director. A psalm of David.

Rescue me, Lord, from evil men.
Keep me safe from violent men(A)
who plan evil in their hearts.
They stir up wars all day long.(B)
They make their tongues
as sharp as a snake’s bite;
viper’s venom is under their lips.(C)Selah

Protect me, Lord,
from the power of the wicked.(D)
Keep me safe from violent men
who plan to make me stumble.[a](E)
The proud hide a trap with ropes for me;
they spread a net along the path
and set snares for me.(F)Selah

I say to the Lord, “You are my God.”
Listen, Lord, to my cry for help.(G)
Lord, my Lord, my strong Savior,
you shield my head on the day of battle.(H)
Lord, do not grant the desires of the wicked;
do not let them achieve their goals.
Otherwise, they will become proud.(I)Selah

When those who surround me rise up,[b]
may the trouble their lips cause overwhelm them.(J)
10 Let hot coals fall on them.
Let them be thrown into the fire,
into the abyss, never again to rise.(K)
11 Do not let a slanderer stay in the land.
Let evil relentlessly[c] hunt down a violent man.(L)

12 I[d] know that the Lord upholds
the just cause of the poor,
justice for the needy.(M)
13 Surely the righteous will praise your name;
the upright will live in your presence.(N)

Footnotes

  1. 140:4 Lit to trip up my steps
  2. 140:9 Lit Head of those who surround me
  3. 140:11 Hb obscure
  4. 140:12 Alt Hb tradition reads You

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