Bible

Psalm 140-143

Psalm 140In Hebrew texts 140:1-13 is numbered 140:2-14. 1For the director of music. A psalm of David. Rescue me, LORD, from evildoers; protect me from the violent,

2who devise evil plans in their hearts and stir up war every day.

3They make their tongues as sharp as a serpent’s; the poison of vipers is on their lips. The Hebrew has Selah (a word of uncertain meaning) here and at the end of verses 5 and 8.

4Keep me safe, LORD, from the hands of the wicked; protect me from the violent, who devise ways to trip my feet.

5The arrogant have hidden a snare for me; they have spread out the cords of their net and have set traps for me along my path.

6I say to the LORD, “You are my God.” Hear, LORD, my cry for mercy.

7Sovereign LORD, my strong deliverer, you shield my head in the day of battle.

8Do not grant the wicked their desires, LORD ; do not let their plans succeed.

9Those who surround me proudly rear their heads; may the mischief of their lips engulf them.

10May burning coals fall on them; may they be thrown into the fire, into miry pits, never to rise.

11May slanderers not be established in the land; may disaster hunt down the violent.

12I know that the LORD secures justice for the poor and upholds the cause of the needy. 13Surely the righteous will praise your name, and the upright will live in your presence.

Psalm 141 1A psalm of David. I call to you, LORD, come quickly to me; hear me when I call to you.

2May my prayer be set before you like incense; may the lifting up of my hands be like the evening sacrifice.

3Set a guard over my mouth, LORD ; keep watch over the door of my lips.

4Do not let my heart be drawn to what is evil so that I take part in wicked deeds along with those who are evildoers; do not let me eat their delicacies.

5Let a righteous man strike me—that is a kindness; let him rebuke me—that is oil on my head. My head will not refuse it, for my prayer will still be against the deeds of evildoers.

6Their rulers will be thrown down from the cliffs, and the wicked will learn that my words were well spoken.

7They will say, “As one plows and breaks up the earth, so our bones have been scattered at the mouth of the grave.”

8But my eyes are fixed on you, Sovereign LORD ; in you I take refuge—do not give me over to death.

9Keep me safe from the traps set by evildoers, from the snares they have laid for me. 10Let the wicked fall into their own nets, while I pass by in safety.

Psalm 142In Hebrew texts 142:1-7 is numbered 142:2-8. 1A maskil Title: Probably a literary or musical term of David. When he was in the cave. A prayer. I cry aloud to the LORD ; I lift up my voice to the LORD for mercy.

2I pour out before him my complaint; before him I tell my trouble.

3When my spirit grows faint within me, it is you who watch over my way. In the path where I walk people have hidden a snare for me.

4Look and see, there is no one at my right hand; no one is concerned for me. I have no refuge; no one cares for my life.

5I cry to you, LORD ; I say, “You are my refuge, my portion in the land of the living.”

6Listen to my cry, for I am in desperate need; rescue me from those who pursue me, for they are too strong for me. 7Set me free from my prison, that I may praise your name. Then the righteous will gather about me because of your goodness to me.

Psalm 143 1A psalm of David. LORD, hear my prayer, listen to my cry for mercy; in your faithfulness and righteousness come to my relief.

2Do not bring your servant into judgment, for no one living is righteous before you.

3The enemy pursues me, he crushes me to the ground; he makes me dwell in the darkness like those long dead.

4So my spirit grows faint within me; my heart within me is dismayed.

5I remember the days of long ago; I meditate on all your works and consider what your hands have done.

6I spread out my hands to you; I thirst for you like a parched land. The Hebrew has Selah (a word of uncertain meaning) here.

7Answer me quickly, LORD ; my spirit fails. Do not hide your face from me or I will be like those who go down to the pit.

8Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I entrust my life.

9Rescue me from my enemies, LORD, for I hide myself in you.

10Teach me to do your will, for you are my God; may your good Spirit lead me on level ground.

11For your name’s sake, LORD, preserve my life; in your righteousness, bring me out of trouble. 12In your unfailing love, silence my enemies; destroy all my foes, for I am your servant.