Psalm 140 :: English Standard Version (ESV)

Deliver Me, O Lord, from Evil Men

Psa 140:1To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David.
Deliver me, O LORD, from evil men;
preserve me from violent men,

Psa 140:2who plan evil things in their heart
and stir up wars continually.

Psa 140:3They make their tongue sharp as a serpent’s,
and under their lips is the venom of asps. Selah

Psa 140:4Guard me, O LORD, from the hands of the wicked;
preserve me from violent men,
who have planned to trip up my feet.

Psa 140:5

Psa 140:5The arrogant have hidden a trap for me,
and with cords they have spread a net;[fn]
beside the way they have set snares for me. Selah

Psa 140:6

Psa 140:6I say to the LORD, You are my God;
give ear to the voice of my pleas for mercy, O LORD!

Psa 140:7

Psa 140:7O LORD, my Lord, the strength of my salvation,
you have covered my head in the day of battle.

Psa 140:8

Psa 140:8Grant not, O LORD, the desires of the wicked;
do not further their[fn] evil plot, or they will be exalted! Selah

Psa 140:9

Psa 140:9As for the head of those who surround me,
let the mischief of their lips overwhelm them!

Psa 140:10

Psa 140:10Let burning coals fall upon them!
Let them be cast into fire,
into miry pits, no more to rise!

Psa 140:11

Psa 140:11Let not the slanderer be established in the land;
let evil hunt down the violent man speedily!

Psa 140:12

Psa 140:12I know that the LORD will maintain the cause of the afflicted,
and will execute justice for the needy.

Psa 140:13

Psa 140:13Surely the righteous shall give thanks to your name;
the upright shall dwell in your presence.

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ESV Footnotes

(140:5)

Or they have spread cords as a net

(140:8)

Hebrew his

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