140:1 *[For the director of music. A psalm of David.] Rescue me, Lord, from evildoers; protect me from the violent, / *In Hebrew texts 140:1-13 is numbered 140:2-14.
140:2 who devise evil plans in their hearts and stir up war every day.
140:3 They make their tongues as sharp as a serpent’s; the poison of vipers is on their lips.* / *The Hebrew has Selah (a word of uncertain meaning) here and at the end of verses 5 and 8.
140:4 Keep me safe, Lord, from the hands of the wicked; protect me from the violent, who devise ways to trip my feet.
140:5 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.
140:6 I say to the Lord, “You are my God.” Hear, Lord, my cry for mercy.
140:7 Sovereign Lord, my strong deliverer, you shield my head in the day of battle.
140:8 Do not grant the wicked their desires, Lord; do not let their plans succeed.
140:9 Those who surround me proudly rear their heads; may the mischief of their lips engulf them.
140:10 May burning coals fall on them; may they be thrown into the fire, into miry pits, never to rise.
140:11 May slanderers not be established in the land; may disaster hunt down the violent.
140:12 I know that the Lord secures justice for the poor and upholds the cause of the needy.
140:13 Surely the righteous will praise your name, and the upright will live in your presence.