Psalm 140 (139)
Free me from the wicked.
2 O Lord, deliver me from the evil one, protect me from violent people,
3 forever plotting evil and stirring up strife.
4 They have tongues sharp as a ser pent’s and venomous lips.
5 Save me, O Lord, from the hands of the wicked, preserve me from the hands of the violent, who have planned to trip my feet.
6 The arrogant have set a snare for me; they have spread out their nets to entrap me along my path.
7 I say to the Lord, “You are my God.” Hear, O Lord, my voice in sup plication.
8 O God, my Lord, my strength and salvation, in the day of battle you shield my head.
9 Do not grant, O Lord, the desires of the wicked; do not let their evil schemes succeed.
10 Let my attackers be over whelm ed by the mischief they prepared and not lift up their heads.
11 Let burning coals rain upon them; let them be cast into the depths, never to rise again.
12 Do not let the slanderer thrive on earth; let disaster hunt down the violent.
13 I know that the Lord upholds the cause of the afflicted, and justice will be done to the poor.
14 The just shall praise your name, the upright shall dwell in your presence.