Chapter 140

140:1Rescue me, Lord, from evil men.
Keep me safe from violent men
2who plan evil in their hearts.
They stir up wars all day long.
3They make their tongues
as sharp as a snake's bite;
viper's venom is under their lips.

Selah
4Protect me, Lord,
from the clutches of the wicked.
Keep me safe from violent men
who plan to make me stumble.
5The proud hide a trap with ropes for me;
they spread a net along the path
and set snares for me.

Selah
6I say to the Lord, "You are my God."
Listen, Lord, to my cry for help.
7Lord God, my strong Savior,
You shield my head on the day of battle.
8Lord, do not grant the desires of the wicked;
do not let them achieve their goals.
Otherwise, they will become proud.

Selah
9When those who surround me rise up,
may the trouble their lips cause overwhelm them.
10Let hot coals fall on them.
Let them be thrown into the fire,
into the abyss, never again to rise.
11Do not let a slanderer stay in the land.
Let evil relentlessly hunt down a violent man.
12I know that the Lord upholds
the just cause of the poor,
justice for the needy.
13Surely the righteous will praise Your name;
the upright will live in Your presence.

Chapter 141

141:1Lord, I call on You; hurry to help me.
Listen to my voice when I call on You.
2May my prayer be set before You as incense,
the raising of my hands as the evening offering.
3Lord, set up a guard for my mouth;
keep watch at the door of my lips.
4Do not let my heart turn to any evil thing
or perform wicked acts
with men who commit sin.
Do not let me feast on their delicacies.
5Let the righteous one strike me-
it is an act of faithful love;
let him rebuke me-
it is oil for my head;
let me not refuse it.
Even now my prayer is against
the evil acts of the wicked.
6When their rulers will be thrown off
the sides of a cliff,
the people will listen to my words,
for they are pleasing.
7As when one plows and breaks up the soil,
turning up rocks,
so our bones have been scattered
at the mouth of Sheol.
8But my eyes look to You, Lord God.
I seek refuge in You; do not let me die.
9Protect me from the trap they have set for me,
and from the snares of evildoers.
10Let the wicked fall into their own nets,
while I pass by safely.