Psalms 140

1 Unto the end. A Psalm of David. Rescue me, O Lord, from the evil man. Rescue me from the iniquitous leader.

To the leader. A Psalm of David. Rescue me, Lord, from evil people; from the violent guard me

2 Those who have devised iniquities in their hearts: all day long they constructed conflicts.

from those who plot evil in their heart, and stir up war continually:

3 They have sharpened their tongues like a serpent. The venom of asps is under their lips.

who make their tongue as sharp as a serpent’s, and under whose lips is the poison of adders. (Selah)

4 Preserve me, O Lord, from the hand of the sinner, and rescue me from men of iniquity. They have decided to supplant my steps.

Preserve me, O Lord, from the hands of the wicked, from the violent guard me from those who are plotting to trip up my feet.

5 The arrogant have hidden a snare for me. And they have stretched out cords for a snare. They have placed a stumbling block for me near the road.

The proud have hidden a trap for me, cords they have spread as a net for my feet: snares they have set at the side of my track. (Selah)

6 I said to the Lord: You are my God. O Lord, heed the voice of my supplication.

I have said to the Lord, “My God are you; attend, Lord, to my loud plea.

7 Lord, O Lord, the strength of my salvation: you have overshadowed my head in the day of war.

O Lord my Lord, my savior mighty, you did cover my head in the day of battle.

8 O Lord, do not hand me over to the sinner by my desire. They have plotted against me. Do not abandon me, lest they should triumph.

Grant not, O Lord, the desires of the wicked; and what they have purposed, promote you not.” (Selah)

9 The head of those who encompass me, the labor of their lips, will overwhelm them.

Let them not lift up their heads against me. May the mischief they prate bring themselves to destruction,

10 Burning coals will fall upon them. You will cast them down into the fire, into miseries that they will not be able to withstand.

may he rain upon them coals of fire, may he strike them down swiftly, to rise no more,

11 A talkative man will not be guided aright upon the earth. Evils will drag the unjust man unto utter ruin.

no place in the land may there be for the slanderer: may the violent be hunted from sorrow to sorrow.

12 I know that the Lord will accomplish justice for the needy and vindication for the poor.

I know that the Lord will do right by the weak, and will execute justice for those who are needy.

13 So then, truly, the just will confess your name, and the upright will dwell with your countenance.

Surely the righteous shall praise your name, and they who are upright shall live in your presence.