Psalm 140

Prayer for Rescue

For the choir director. A psalm of David.

¹Rescue me, Lord, from evil men.

Keep me safe from violent men ^a

²who plan evil in their hearts.

They stir up wars all day long. ^b

³They make their tongues

as sharp as a snake’s bite;

viper’s venom is under their lips. ^c Selah

⁴Protect me, Lord,

from the power of the wicked. ^d

Keep me safe from violent men

who plan to make me stumble. ^e,^f

⁵The proud hide a trap with ropes for me;

they spread a net along the path

and set snares for me. ^g Selah

⁶I say to the Lord, “You are my God.”

Listen, Lord, to my cry for help. ^h

⁷Lord, my Lord, my strong Savior,

you shield my head on the day of battle. ⁱ

⁸Lord, do not grant the desires of the wicked;

do not let them achieve their goals.

Otherwise, they will become proud. ^j Selah

⁹When those who surround me rise up, ^k

may the trouble their lips cause overwhelm them. ^l

¹⁰Let hot coals fall on them.

Let them be thrown into the fire,

into the abyss, never again to rise. ^m

¹¹Do not let a slanderer stay in the land.

Let evil relentlessly ⁿ hunt down a violent man. ^o

¹²I ^p know that the Lord upholds

the just cause of the poor,

justice for the needy. ^q

¹³Surely the righteous will praise your name;

the upright will live in your presence. ^r