Psalm 140

Prayer For Protection Against The Wicked.

To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David. 1Rescue me, O LORD, from evil men;
Protect me from violent men. 2They devise evil things in their hearts;
They continually [gather together and] stir up wars. 3They sharpen their tongues like a serpent’s;
Poison of a viper is under their lips. Selah. 4Keep me, O LORD, from the hands of the wicked;
Protect me from violent men
Who intend to trip up my steps. 5The proud have hidden a trap for me, and cords;
They have spread a net by the wayside;
They have set traps for me. Selah. 6I said to the LORD, “You are my God;
Listen to the voice of my supplications, O LORD. 7“O GOD the Lord, the strength of my salvation,
You have covered my head in the day of battle. 8“Do not grant, O LORD, the desires of the wicked;
Do not further their evil device, that they not be exalted. Selah. 9“Those who surround me raise their heads;
May the mischief of their own lips come upon them. 10“Let burning coals fall upon them;
Let them be thrown into the fire,
Into deep [water] pits from which they cannot rise. 11“Do not let a slanderer be established in the earth;
Let evil quickly hunt the violent man [to overthrow him and stop his evil acts].” 12I know [with confidence] that the LORD will maintain the cause of the afflicted,
And [will secure] justice for the poor. 13Surely the righteous will give thanks to Your name;
The upright will dwell in Your presence.