Psalm 140 | New International Reader’s Version

For the director of music. A psalm of David.

1 LORD, save me from sinful people. Keep me safe from those who want to hurt me. 2 They make evil plans in their hearts. They are always starting fights. 3 Their tongues are as deadly as the tongue of a snake. The words from their lips are like the poison of a snake. 4 LORD, keep me safe from the hands of sinful people. Protect me from those who want to hurt me. They plan ways to trip me up and make me fall. 5 Proud people have hidden their traps to catch me. They have spread out their nets. They have set traps for me along my path. 6 I say to the LORD, ‘You are my God.’ LORD, hear my cry for mercy. 7 LORD and King, you save me because you are strong. You are like a shield that keeps me safe in the day of battle. 8 LORD, don’t give sinners what they want. Don’t let their plans succeed. 9 Those who are all around me proudly raise their heads. May the trouble they planned for me happen to them. 10 May burning coals fall on people like that. May they be thrown into the fire. May they be thrown into muddy pits and never get out. 11 Don’t let people who lie about me be secure in the land. May trouble hunt down those who want to hurt me. 12 I know that the LORD makes sure that poor people are treated fairly. He stands up for those who are in need. 13 I’m sure that those who do right will praise your name. Those who are honest will live with you.

English Standard Version

Deliver Me, O Lord, from Evil Men

1 To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. Deliver me, O Lord, from evil men; preserve me from violent men, 2 who plan evil things in their heart and stir up wars continually. 3 They make their tongue sharp as a serpent’s, and under their lips is the venom of asps. 4 Guard me, O Lord, from the hands of the wicked; preserve me from violent men, who have planned to trip up my feet. 5 The arrogant have hidden a trap for me, and with cords they have spread a net;* beside the way they have set snares for me. 6 I say to the Lord, You are my God; give ear to the voice of my pleas for mercy, O Lord! 7 O Lord, my Lord, the strength of my salvation, you have covered my head in the day of battle. 8 Grant not, O Lord, the desires of the wicked; do not further their* evil plot, or they will be exalted! 9 As for the head of those who surround me, let the mischief of their lips overwhelm them! 10 Let burning coals fall upon them! Let them be cast into fire, into miry pits, no more to rise! 11 Let not the slanderer be established in the land; let evil hunt down the violent man speedily! 12 I know that the Lord will maintain the cause of the afflicted, and will execute justice for the needy. 13 Surely the righteous shall give thanks to your name; the upright shall dwell in your presence.

Psalm 140 | New International Reader’s Version English Standard Version

For the director of music. A psalm of David.

Deliver Me, O Lord, from Evil Men