Psa 140 | HCSB | STEP | For the choir director . A Davidic psalm . Rescue me, Lord , from evil men . Keep me safe from violent men

Psalms 140

Prayer for Rescue

1 For the choir director. A Davidic psalm.

Rescue me, Lord, from evil men.
Keep me safe from violent men ^a
2 who plan evil in their hearts.
They stir up wars all day long. ^b
3 They make their tongues
as sharp as a snake’s bite;
viper’s venom is under their lips. ^{c
,} ^{▼▼Selah: A Hebrew word whose meaning is uncertain; various interpretations include: (1) a musical notation, (2) a pause for silence, (3) a signal for worshipers to fall prostrate on the ground, (4) a term for the worshipers to call out, and (5) a word meaning "forever"}
Selah

4 Protect me, Lord,
from the clutches of the wicked. ^e
Keep me safe from violent men
who plan to make me stumble. ^{▼▼Lit to trip up my steps
,} ^g
5 The proud hide a trap with ropes for me;
they spread a net along the path
and set snares for me. ^{h
,} ^{▼▼Selah: A Hebrew word whose meaning is uncertain; various interpretations include: (1) a musical notation, (2) a pause for silence, (3) a signal for worshipers to fall prostrate on the ground, (4) a term for the worshipers to call out, and (5) a word meaning "forever"}
Selah

6 I say to the Lord, “You are my God.”
Listen, Lord, to my cry for help. ^j
7 Lord God, my strong Savior,
You shield my head on the day of battle. ^k
8 Lord, do not grant the desires of the wicked;
do not let them achieve their goals.
Otherwise, they will become proud. ^{l
,} ^{▼▼Selah: A Hebrew word whose meaning is uncertain; various interpretations include: (1) a musical notation, (2) a pause for silence, (3) a signal for worshipers to fall prostrate on the ground, (4) a term for the worshipers to call out, and (5) a word meaning "forever"}
Selah

9 When those who surround me rise up, ^{▼▼Lit Head of those who surround me}
may the trouble their lips cause overwhelm them. ^o
10 Let hot coals fall on them.
Let them be thrown into the fire,
into the abyss, never again to rise. ^p
11 Do not let a slanderer stay in the land.
Let evil relentlessly ^{▼▼Hb obscure} hunt down a violent man. ^r

12 I ^{▼▼Alt Hb tradition reads You} know that the Lord upholds
the just cause of the poor,
justice for the needy. ^t
13 Surely the righteous will praise Your name;
the upright will live in Your presence. ^u