Psalms 140

For the music director; a psalm of David.

140:1 O Lord, rescue me from wicked men!

Protect me from violent men,

140:2 who plan ways to harm me.

All day long they stir up conflict.

140:3 Their tongues wound like a serpent;

a viper’s venom is behind their lips. (Selah)

140:4 O Lord, shelter me from the power of the wicked!

Protect me from violent men,

who plan to knock me over.

140:5 Proud men hide a snare for me;

evil men spread a net by the path;

they set traps for me. (Selah)

140:6 I say to the Lord, “You are my God.”

O Lord, pay attention to my plea for mercy!

140:7 O sovereign Lord, my strong deliverer,

you shield my head in the day of battle.

140:8 O Lord, do not let the wicked have their way!

Do not allow their plan to succeed when they attack! (Selah)

140:9 As for the heads of those who surround me –

may the harm done by their lips overwhelm them!

140:10 May he rain down fiery coals upon them!

May he throw them into the fire!

From bottomless pits they will not escape.

140:11 A slanderer will not endure on the earth;

calamity will hunt down a violent man and strike him down.

140:12 I know that the Lord defends the cause of the oppressed

and vindicates the poor.

140:13 Certainly the godly will give thanks to your name;

the morally upright will live in your presence.