Psa 140 | LEB | STEP | For the music director. A psalm of David. Rescue me, O Yahweh, from evil men. Preserve me from violent men,

Psalms 140

Prayer for Help in the Face of Enemies

For the music director. A psalm of David. ^{▼▼The Hebrew Bible counts the superscription as the first verse of the psalm; the English verse number is reduced by one}

1 Rescue me, O Yahweh, from evil men. ^{▼▼The several uses of the singular “man” in this psalm are probably collective}
Preserve me from violent men,
2 who plan evil things in their heart.
They stir up wars continually.
3 They sharpen their tongue as sharp as a snake’s;
the venom of a viper is under their lips. Selah
4 Protect me, O Yahweh, from the hands of the wicked.
Preserve me from violent men,
who have planned to ⌞make me stumble⌟. ^{▼▼Literally “push my steps”}
5 The proud have hidden a trap for me, and cords.
They have spread out a net along the ⌞side⌟ ^{▼▼Literally “hand”} of the path.
They have set snares for me. Selah
6 I say to Yahweh, “You are my God.”
Listen, O Yahweh, to the voice of my supplications.
7 O Yahweh, my Lord, the strength of my salvation,
you have covered my head in the day of battle.
8 Do not grant, O Yahweh, the desires of the wicked.
Do not allow them to attain their ^{▼▼Hebrew “his”} plan, lest they be exalted. Selah
9 With respect to the head of those who surround me,
may the harm of their lips cover them.
10 Let burning coals fall on them;
let them be dropped into the fire,
into bottomless pits from which they cannot rise.
11 Do not let a ⌞slanderer⌟ ^{▼▼Literally “man of tongue”} be established in the land;
as for the man of violence, let evil hunt him quickly.
12 I know ^{▼▼According to the reading tradition (Qere)} that Yahweh will maintain the cause of the afflicted,
and justice for the needy.
13 Surely the righteous will give thanks to your name;
the upright will dwell in your presence.

Psalms 140

Prayer for Help in the Face of Enemies

For the music director. A psalm of David. ▼▼The Hebrew Bible counts the superscription as the first verse of the psalm; the English verse number is reduced by one

For the music director. A psalm of David. ^{▼▼The Hebrew Bible counts the superscription as the first verse of the psalm; the English verse number is reduced by one}