Psalm 140

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1} For the choir director. A Davidic psalm.

Rescue me, Lord, from evil men.
Keep me safe from violent men^(A)

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who plan evil in their hearts.
They stir up wars all day long.^(B)

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They make their tongues
as sharp as a snake’s bite;
viper’s venom is under their lips.^(C)Selah

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Protect me, Lord,
from the clutches of the wicked.^(D)
Keep me safe from violent men
who plan to make me stumble.^(a)^(E)

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The proud hide a trap with ropes for me;
they spread a net along the path
and set snares for me.^(F)Selah

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I say to the Lord, “You are my God.”
Listen, Lord, to my cry for help.^(G)

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Lord God, my strong Savior,
You shield my head on the day of battle.^(H)

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Lord, do not grant the desires of the wicked;
do not let them achieve their goals.
Otherwise, they will become proud.^(I)Selah

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When those who surround me rise up,^(b)
may the trouble their lips cause overwhelm them.^(J)

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Let hot coals fall on them.
Let them be thrown into the fire,
into the abyss, never again to rise.^(K)

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Do not let a slanderer stay in the land.
Let evil relentlessly^(c) hunt down a violent man.^(L)

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I^(d) know that the Lord upholds
the just cause of the poor,
justice for the needy.^(M)

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Surely the righteous will praise Your name;
the upright will live in Your presence.^(N)

a. Psalm 140:4: Lit to trip up my steps

b. Psalm 140:9: Lit Head of those who surround me

c. Psalm 140:11: Hb obscure

d. Psalm 140:12: Alt Hb tradition reads You

A. Psalm 140:1: Psalm 18:48; Psalm 71:4

B. Psalm 140:2: Psalm 36:4; Psalm 56:6; Proverbs 6:14

C. Psalm 140:3: Psalm 58:4; Romans 3:13

D. Psalm 140:4: Psalm 71:4

E. Psalm 140:4: Psalm 36:11

F. Psalm 140:5: Psalm 35:7; Psalm 141:9; Psalm 142:3

G. Psalm 140:6: Psalm 31:14; Psalm 130:2

H. Psalm 140:7: Psalm 28:8; Psalm 118:14

I. Psalm 140:8: Psalm 10:2-3

J. Psalm 140:9: Psalm 7:16; Proverbs 18:7

K. Psalm 140:10: Psalm 11:6; Psalm 36:12

L. Psalm 140:11: Psalm 34:21

M. Psalm 140:12: Psalm 9:4; Psalm 82:3

N. Psalm 140:13: Psalm 11:7; Psalm 64:10