Psalm 140

International Standard Version

⁴ Protect me, Lord, from the control of evil people,
    from violent men who have planned to trip me.
⁵ The arrogant have laid a trap for me;
    they have spread a net with ropes,
        lining it with snares along the way.
Interlude

⁶ So I say to the Lord, “You are my God;
    listen to my voice
        as I plead for mercy, Lord.
⁷ Lord, my Lord, my strong deliverer,
    you have protected my head in the time^[c] of battle.
⁸ Never grant, Lord, the desires of the wicked;
    never condone their plans
        so they cannot exalt themselves.
Interlude

⁹ May those who surround me discover
    that the trouble they talk about falls on their own head!
¹⁰ May burning coals fall on them;
    may they be cast into fire,
        and into miry pits, never to rise again.
¹¹ Let not the slanderer^[d] become established in the land.
    May evil quickly hunt down the violent man.
¹² I know that the Lord will act on behalf of the tormented,
    providing justice for the needy.

¹³ Surely the righteous will give thanks to your name,
    while the upright live in your presence.