Psalm 140

For the choir director: A psalm of David.

¹O Lord, rescue me from evil people.

Protect me from those who are violent,

²those who plot evil in their hearts

and stir up trouble all day long.

³Their tongues sting like a snake;

the venom of a viper drips from their lips. Interlude

⁴O Lord, keep me out of the hands of the wicked.

Protect me from those who are violent,

for they are plotting against me.

⁵The proud have set a trap to catch me;

they have stretched out a net;

they have placed traps all along the way. Interlude

⁶I said to the Lord, “You are my God!”

Listen, O Lord, to my cries for mercy!

⁷O Sovereign Lord, the strong one who rescued me,

you protected me on the day of battle.

⁸Lord, do not let evil people have their way.

Do not let their evil schemes succeed,

or they will become proud. Interlude

⁹Let my enemies be destroyed

by the very evil they have planned for me.

¹⁰Let burning coals fall down on their heads.

Let them be thrown into the fire

or into watery pits from which they can’t escape.

¹¹Don’t let liars prosper here in our land.

Cause great disasters to fall on the violent.

¹²But I know the Lord will help those they persecute;

he will give justice to the poor.

¹³Surely righteous people are praising your name;

the godly will live in your presence.