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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.

Prayer for protection against persecutors.

For the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David.

140 Deliver me, O Jehovah, from the evil man;
Preserve me from the violent man:
Who devise mischiefs in their heart;
Continually do they [a]gather themselves together for war.
They have sharpened their tongue like a serpent;
Adders’ poison is under their lips. Selah
Keep me, O Jehovah, from the hands of the wicked;
Preserve me from the violent man:
Who have purposed to thrust aside my steps.
The proud have hid a snare for me, and cords;
They have spread a net by the wayside;
They have set gins for me. Selah
I said unto Jehovah, Thou art my God:
Give ear unto the voice of my supplications, O Jehovah.
O Jehovah the Lord, the strength of my salvation,
Thou hast covered my head in the day of battle.
Grant not, O Jehovah, the desires of the wicked;
Further not his evil device, lest they exalt themselves. Selah
As for the head of those that compass me about,
Let the mischief of their own lips cover them.
10 Let burning coals fall upon them:
Let them be cast into the fire,
Into [b]deep pits, whence they shall not rise.
11 [c]An evil speaker shall not be established in the earth:
Evil shall hunt the violent man to overthrow him.
12 I know that Jehovah will maintain the cause of the afflicted,
And justice for the needy.
13 Surely the righteous shall give thanks unto thy name:
The upright shall dwell in thy presence.

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 140:2 Or, stir up wars
  2. Psalm 140:10 Or, floods
  3. Psalm 140:11 Hebrew A man of tongue.