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!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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 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.

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

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

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

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

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)

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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 accomplish justice for the needy and vindication for the poor.

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.

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