Psalm 140

Complete Jewish Bible

140 ⁽⁰⁾For the leader. A psalm of David:

²⁽¹⁾Rescue me, Adonai, from evil people,
protect me from violent people.
³⁽²⁾They plan evil things in their hearts —
they continually stir up bitter strife.
⁴⁽³⁾They have made their tongues as sharp as a snake’s;
viper’s venom is under their lips. (Selah)

⁵⁽⁴⁾Keep me, Adonai, from the hands of the wicked,
protect me from violent people
who are trying to trip me up.
⁶⁽⁵⁾The arrogant hide snares for me;
they spread nets by the side of the road,
hoping to trap me there. (Selah)

⁷⁽⁶⁾I said to Adonai, “You are my God;
listen, Adonai, to my plea for mercy.”
⁸⁽⁷⁾Adonai, Adonai, my saving strength,
my helmet shielding my head in battle,
⁹⁽⁸⁾Adonai, don’t grant the wicked their wishes;
make their plot fail, so they won’t grow proud. (Selah)
¹⁰⁽⁹⁾May the heads of those who surround me
be engulfed in the evil they spoke of, themselves.
¹¹⁽¹⁰⁾May burning coals rain down on them,
may they be flung into the fire,
flung into deep pits,
never to rise again.
¹²⁽¹¹⁾Let slanderers find no place in the land;
let the violent and evil be hunted relentlessly.

¹³⁽¹²⁾I know that Adonai gives justice to the poor
and maintains the rights of the needy.
¹⁴⁽¹³⁾The righteous will surely give thanks to your name;
the upright will live in your presence.