Psalms 140

Psalm 140

Prayer for Rescue

For the choir director. A psalm of David.

¹Rescue me, Lord, from evil men. Keep me safe from violent men²

³who plan evil in their hearts. They stir up wars all day long.⁴

⁵They make their tongues as sharp as a snake’s bite; viper’s venom is under their lips.Selah⁶

⁷Protect me, Lord, from the power of the wicked. Keep me safe from violent men who plan to make me stumble.⁸

⁹The proud hide a trap with ropes for me; they spread a net along the path and set snares for me.Selah¹⁰

¹¹I say to the Lord, “You are my God.” Listen, Lord, to my cry for help.¹²

¹³Lord, my Lord, my strong Savior, you shield my head on the day of battle.¹⁴

¹⁵Lord, do not grant the desires of the wicked; do not let them achieve their goals. Otherwise, they will become proud.Selah¹⁶

¹⁷When those who surround me rise up, may the trouble their lips cause overwhelm them.¹⁸

¹⁹Let hot coals fall on them. Let them be thrown into the fire, into the abyss, never again to rise.²⁰

²¹Do not let a slanderer stay in the land. Let evil relentlessly hunt down a violent man.²²

²³I know that the Lord upholds the just cause of the poor, justice for the needy.²⁴

²⁵Surely the righteous will praise your name; the upright will live in your presence.²⁶