140:1 For the director of music. A psalm of David. Rescue me, O LORD, from evil men; protect me from men of violence,

140:2 who devise evil plans in their hearts and stir up war every day.

140:3 They make their tongues as sharp as a serpent's; the poison of vipers is on their lips. Selah

140:4 Keep me, O LORD, from the hands of the wicked; protect me from men of violence who plan to trip my feet.

140:5 Proud men have hidden a snare for me; they have spread out the cords of their net and have set traps for me along my path. Selah

140:6 O LORD, I say to you, "You are my God." Hear, O LORD, my cry for mercy.

140:7 O Sovereign LORD, my strong deliverer, who shields my head in the day of battle--

140:8 do not grant the wicked their desires, O LORD; do not let their plans succeed, or they will become proud. Selah

140:9 Let the heads of those who surround me be covered with the trouble their lips have caused.

140:10 Let burning coals fall upon them; may they be thrown into the fire, into miry pits, never to rise.

140:11 Let slanderers not be established in the land; may disaster hunt down men of violence.

140:12 I know that the LORD secures justice for the poor and upholds the cause of the needy.

140:13 Surely the righteous will praise your name and the upright will live before you.