Psalm 140
New International Version

Psalm 140^[a]

For the director of music. A psalm of David.

¹Rescue me,^(A)Lord, from evildoers;
    protect me from the violent,^(B)
²who devise evil plans^(C)in their hearts
    and stir up war^(D)every day.
³They make their tongues as sharp as^(E)a serpent’s;
    the poison of vipers^(F)is on their lips.^[b]

⁴Keep me safe,^(G)Lord, from the hands of the wicked;^(H)
    protect me from the violent,
    who devise ways to trip my feet.
⁵The arrogant have hidden a snare^(I)for me;
    they have spread out the cords of their net^(J)
    and have set traps^(K)for me along my path.

⁶I say to theLord, “You are my God.”^(L)
    Hear,Lord, my cry for mercy.^(M)
⁷SovereignLord,^(N)my strong deliverer,
    you shield my head in the day of battle.
⁸Do not grant the wicked^(O)their desires,Lord;
    do not let their plans succeed.

⁹Those who surround me proudly rear their heads;
    may the mischief of their lips engulf them.^(P)
¹⁰May burning coals fall on them;
    may they be thrown into the fire,^(Q)
    into miry pits, never to rise.
¹¹May slanderers not be established in the land;
    may disaster hunt down the violent.^(R)

¹²I know that theLordsecures justice for the poor^(S)
and upholds the cause^(T)of the needy.^(U)
¹³Surely the righteous will praise your name,^(V)
and the upright will live^(W)in your presence.^(X)

Footnotes

Psalm 140:1In Hebrew texts 140:1-13 is numbered 140:2-14.
Psalm 140:3The Hebrew hasSelah(a word of uncertain meaning) here and at the end of verses 5 and 8.