Psalm 140

¹Deliver me, LORD, from evil men.

Preserve me from violent men:

²those who devise mischief in their hearts.

They continually gather themselves together for war.

³They have sharpened their tongues like a serpent.

Viper’s poison is under their lips.

⁴LORD, keep me from the hands of the wicked.

Preserve me from the violent men who have determined to trip my feet.

⁵The proud have hidden a snare for me,

they have spread the cords of a net by the path.

They have set traps for me.

⁶I said to the LORD, “You are my God.”

Listen to the cry of my petitions, LORD.

⁷LORD, the Lord, the strength of my salvation,

you have covered my head in the day of battle.

⁸LORD, don’t grant the desires of the wicked.

Don’t let their evil plans succeed, or they will become proud.

⁹As for the head of those who surround me,

let the mischief of their own lips cover them.

¹⁰Let burning coals fall on them.

Let them be thrown into the fire,

into miry pits, from where they never rise.

¹¹An evil speaker won’t be established in the earth.

Evil will hunt the violent man to overthrow him.

¹²I know that the LORD 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.