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Deliver Me, O Lord, from Evil Men

To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David.

140 (A)Deliver me, O Lord, from evil men;
    preserve me from (B)violent men,
who plan evil things in their heart
    and (C)stir up wars continually.
They make (D)their tongue sharp as (E)a serpent's,
    and (F)under their lips is the (G)venom of asps. Selah
Guard me, O Lord, from the hands of the wicked;
    preserve me from (H)violent men,
    who have planned to trip up my feet.
The arrogant have (I)hidden a trap for me,
    and with cords they have spread (J)a net;[a]
    beside the way they have set (K)snares for me. Selah
(L)I say to the Lord, You are my God;
    give ear to (M)the voice of my pleas for mercy, O Lord!
O Lord, my Lord, (N)the strength of my salvation,
    you have covered my head in the day of battle.
(O)Grant not, O Lord, the desires of the wicked;
    do not further their[b] evil plot, or (P)they will be exalted! Selah
As for the head of those who surround me,
    let (Q)the mischief of their lips overwhelm them!
10 Let (R)burning coals fall upon them!
    Let them be cast into fire,
    into miry pits, no more to rise!
11 Let not the slanderer be established in the land;
    let evil hunt down the violent man speedily!
12 I know that the Lord will (S)maintain the cause of the afflicted,
    and (T)will execute justice for the needy.
13 Surely (U)the righteous shall give thanks to your name;
    (V)the upright shall dwell in your presence.

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 140:5 Or they have spread cords as a net
  2. Psalm 140:8 Hebrew his