Psalms 140

1 For the music director. A psalm of David. Lord, please save me from those who do evil; protect me especially from those who are violent!

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

2 Their minds are busy plotting evil things, stirring up trouble all day long.

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

3 Their tongues are as sharp as those of snakes; viper's venom is on their lips. (Selah)

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

4 Lord, please keep me from falling into the hands of the wicked; protect me especially from those who are violent, who are plotting my downfall.

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 Proud people have hidden a trap for me—they have strung out a net on the path, they have set snares to catch me. (Selah)

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 told the Lord, “You are my God! Lord, please listen to my cries for help!”

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

7 Lord God, my powerful Savior, you covered my head like a helmet on the day of battle.

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

8 God, don't allow the wicked to get what they want—don't let them be successful in what they plan so they don't become proud. (Selah)

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

9 May the harm spoken against me by those who surround me fall back on them,

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

10 Let burning coals rain down on them! Let them be thrown into the fire, or into bottomless pits, never to rise again.

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

11 Don't let people who slander others live in our land. May disaster strike down violent people.

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

12 Yet I know the Lord defends the rights of those who are persecuted, and gives justice to the poor.

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

13 Truly those who live right are thankful for the kind of person you are, and those who are honest will live in your presence.

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