Psalm 140 - Modern English Version

For the Music Director. A Psalm of David.

¹ Deliver me, O  Lord, from evil men; preserve me from violent men,

² who devise evil things in their hearts; continually do they stir up wars.

³ They sharpen their tongues like a serpent’s; under their lips is the venom of vipers.    Selah

⁴ Keep me, O  Lord, from the hands of the wicked; preserve me from violent men, who have purposed to make my steps stumble.

⁵ The proud have hidden a snare for me; they have spread cords as a net; by the wayside they have set traps for me.    Selah

⁶ I said to the Lord, “You are my God; give ear to the voice of my supplications, O  Lord.”

⁷ O  God, the Lord, the strength of my salvation, You have covered my head in the day of battle.

⁸ Grant not, O  Lord, the desires of the wicked; do not further his evil scheme, lest they be exalted.   Selah

⁹ As for the head of those who surround me, let the evil of their lips overwhelm them.

¹⁰ Let burning coals fall upon them; let them be cast into the fire, into deep pits, from which they cannot rise.

¹¹ Let not a slanderer be established in the land; let evil hunt the violent man to overthrow him.

¹² I know that the Lord will maintain the cause of the afflicted, and justice for the poor.

¹³ Surely the righteous shall give thanks to Your name; the upright shall dwell in Your presence.