The Book of Psalms

Rescue me, O LORD, from evil men. Protect me from men of violence,

who devise evil in their hearts and stir up war all day long.

They sharpen their tongues like snakes; the venom of vipers is on their lips.(a)

Selah Guard me, O LORD, from the hands of the wicked. Keep me safe from men of violence who scheme to make me stumble.

The proud hide a snare for me; the cords of their net are spread along the path, and lures are set out for me.

Selah I say to the LORD, “You are my God.” Hear, O LORD, my cry for help.

O GOD the Lord, the strength of my salvation, You shield my head in the day of battle.

Grant not, O LORD, the desires of the wicked; do not promote their evil plans, lest they be exalted.

Selah May the heads of those who surround me be covered in the trouble their lips have caused.

May burning coals fall on them; may they be thrown into the fire, into the miry pits, never to rise again.

May no slanderer be established in the land; may calamity hunt down the man of violence.

I know that the LORD upholds justice for the poor and defends the cause of the needy.

Surely the righteous will praise Your name; the upright will dwell in Your presence.

(a)140:3 Cited in Romans 3:13

Deliver me, LORD, from evil men. Preserve me from violent men:

those who devise mischief in their hearts. They continually gather themselves together for war.

They have sharpened their tongues like a serpent. Viper’s poison is under their lips. Selah.

LORD, keep me from the hands of the wicked. Preserve me from the violent men who have determined to trip my feet.

The proud have hidden a snare for me, they have spread the cords of a net by the path. They have set traps for me. Selah.

I said to the LORD, “You are my God.” Listen to the cry of my petitions, LORD.

LORD, the Lord, the strength of my salvation, you have covered my head in the day of battle.

LORD, don’t grant the desires of the wicked. Don’t let their evil plans succeed, or they will become proud. Selah.

As for the head of those who surround me, let the mischief of their own lips cover them.

Let burning coals fall on them. Let them be thrown into the fire, into miry pits, from where they never rise.

An evil speaker won’t be established in the earth. Evil will hunt the violent man to overthrow him.

I know that the LORD will maintain the cause of the afflicted, and justice for the needy.

Surely the righteous will give thanks to your name. The upright will dwell in your presence.