Psalm 140

Psalm 140

New International Version (NIV)

Psalm 140

Psalm 140^[a]

    For the director of music. A psalm of David. ¹ Rescue me, LORD, from evildoers;
   protect me from the violent,
² who devise evil plans in their hearts
   and stir up war every day.
³ They make their tongues as sharp as a serpent’s;
   the poison of vipers is on their lips.^[b]
 4 Keep me safe, LORD, from the hands of the wicked;
   protect me from the violent,
   who devise ways to trip my feet.
⁵ The 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.
 ⁶ I say to the LORD, “You are my God.”
   Hear, LORD, my cry for mercy.
⁷ Sovereign LORD, my strong deliverer,
   you shield my head in the day of battle.
⁸ Do not grant the wicked their desires, LORD;
   do not let their plans succeed.
 ⁹ Those who surround me proudly rear their heads;
   may the mischief of their lips engulf them.
¹⁰ May burning coals fall on them;
   may they be thrown into the fire,
   into miry pits, never to rise.
¹¹ May slanderers not be established in the land;
   may disaster hunt down the violent.
 ¹² I know that the LORD secures justice for the poor
   and upholds the cause of the needy.
¹³ Surely the righteous will praise your name,
   and the upright will live in your presence.

Footnotes:

1. Psalm 140:1 In Hebrew texts 140:1-13 is numbered 140:2-14.
2. Psalm 140:3 The Hebrew has Selah (a word of uncertain meaning) here and at the end of verses 5 and 8.