Psalm 140

Deliver Me from Violent People

1Deliver me, O LORD, from evil people;
preserve me from violent ones, 2who devise evils in their hearts
and stir up wars all day long. 3They sharpen their tongue like a serpent;
the venom of a viper is under their lips.
Selah. 4Guard me, O LORD, from the hands of the wicked;
preserve me from violent people,
who have planned to trip my steps. 5The proud have hidden a trap for me;
with cords they have spread a net;
beside the path they have set snares for me.
Selah.

You Are the Strength of My Salvation

6I say to the LORD, “You are my God.”
Give ear, O LORD, to the voice of my pleas for mercy. 7O LORD my Lord, strength of my salvation,
you cover my head in the day of battle. 8Do not grant, O LORD, the desires of the wicked;
do not let their scheme succeed,
lest they exalt themselves.
Selah.

The Upright Will Dwell in Your Presence

9As for the heads of those who surround me,
let the trouble spoken by their lips cover them. 10Let burning coals fall upon them;
let them be cast into fire,
into deep pits, never to rise. 11Let the slanderer not be established in the land;
let evil hunt down the violent swiftly. 12I know that the LORD maintains the cause of the afflicted
and justice for the poor. 13Surely the righteous will give thanks to your name;
the upright will dwell in your presence.