psalm

A Prayer for Protection

For the director of music. A psalm of David.

140 
Lord, rescue me from evil people;

protect me from cruel people

who make evil plans,

who always start fights.

They make their tongues sharp as a snake’s;

their words are like snake poison. Selah

Lord, guard me from the power of wicked people;

protect me from cruel people

who plan to trip me up.

The proud hid a trap for me.

They spread out a net beside the road;

they set traps for me. Selah

I said to the Lord, “You are my God.”

Lord, listen to my prayer for help.

Lord God, my mighty savior,

you protect me in battle.

Lord, do not give the wicked what they want.

Don’t let their plans succeed,

or they will become proud. Selah

Those around me have planned trouble.

Now let it come to them.

10 Let burning coals fall on them.

Throw them into the fire

or into pits from which they cannot escape.

11 Don’t let liars settle in the land.

Let evil quickly hunt down cruel people.

12 I know the Lord will get justice for the poor

and will defend the needy in court.

13 Good people will praise his name;

honest people will live in his presence.