Psalm 140

Evangelical Heritage Version

¹ Keep me safe, Lord, from the evil man.
Protect me from the violent man,
² who plans evil in his heart.
Every day they gather for battle.
³ They sharpen their tongues like a snake. Interlude
The poison of vipers is under their lips.
⁴ Keep me safe, Lord, from the hands of the wicked.
Protect me from the violent man, who plans to trip my feet.
⁵ The proud have hidden a snare for me, and ropes.^[a]
They have spread out a net along my route. Interlude
They have set traps for me.

⁶ I say to the Lord, “You are my God.”
Hear, O Lord, the sound of my cry for mercy.
⁷ O Lord, my Lord, the strength of my salvation,
you cover my head on the day for weapons.
⁸ Do not grant, O Lord, the desires of the wicked.
Do not let their scheme succeed when they rise up.^[b] Interlude

⁹ May the trouble caused by their lips
    fall on the heads of those who surround me.
¹⁰ Let burning coals fall on them.
Cause them to fall into the fire,
or into pits from which they will never rise.
¹¹ Do not let the slanderer^[c] be established in the land.
As for the man of violence—
may evil hunt him and beat him down.

¹² I know that the Lord will provide justice for the oppressed,
    judgment for the poor.
¹³ Surely the righteous will give thanks to your name.
The upright will live in your presence.