Psalms 140

¹For the music director. A psalm of David. Rescue me, O Yahweh, from evil men. Preserve me from violent men, ²who plan evil things in their heart. They stir up wars continually. ³They sharpen their tongue as sharp as a snake’s; the venom of a viper is under their lips. Selah ⁴Protect me, O Yahweh, from the hands of the wicked. Preserve me from violent men, who have planned to ⌞make me stumble⌟. ⁵The proud have hidden a trap for me, and cords. They have spread out a net along the ⌞side⌟ of the path. They have set snares for me. Selah ⁶I say to Yahweh, “You are my God.” Listen, O Yahweh, to the voice of my supplications. ⁷O Yahweh, my Lord, the strength of my salvation, you have covered my head in the day of battle. ⁸Do not grant, O Yahweh, the desires of the wicked. Do not allow them to attain their plan, lest they be exalted. Selah ⁹With respect to the head of those who surround me, may the harm of their lips cover them. ¹⁰Let burning coals fall on them; let them be dropped into the fire, into bottomless pits from which they cannot rise. ¹¹Do not let a ⌞slanderer⌟ be established in the land; as for the man of violence, let evil hunt him quickly. ¹²I know that Yahweh will maintain the cause of the afflicted, and justice for the needy. ¹³Surely the righteous will give thanks to your name; the upright will dwell in your presence.