The Psalms 140

A Prayer for Protection against Persecutors

To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David.

Deliver me, O LORD, from the evil man:

preserve me from the violent man;

which imagine mischiefs in their heart;

continually are they gathered together for war.

They have sharpened their tongues like a serpent;

adders’ poison is under their lips. Rom. 3.13

Selah.

Keep me, O LORD, from the hands of the wicked;

preserve me from the violent man;

who have purposed to overthrow my goings.

The proud have hid a snare for me, and cords;

they have spread a net by the wayside;

they have set gins for me.

Selah.

I said unto the LORD, Thou art my God:

hear the voice of my supplications, O LORD.

O GOD the Lord, the strength of my salvation,

thou hast covered my head in the day of battle.

Grant not, O LORD, the desires of the wicked:

further not his wicked device;

lest they exalt themselves.

Selah.

As for the head of those that compass me about,

let the mischief of their own lips cover them.

Let burning coals fall upon them:

let them be cast into the fire;

into deep pits,

that they rise not up again.

Let not an evil speaker be established in the earth:

evil shall hunt the violent man to overthrow him.

I know that the LORD will maintain the cause of the afflicted,

and the right of the poor.

Surely the righteous shall give thanks unto thy name:

the upright shall dwell in thy presence.

Published by The American Bible Society