139
(140) For the end, a Psalm of David.
1 Rescue me, O Lord, from the evil man; deliver me from the unjust man.
2 Who have devised injustice in their hearts; all the day they prepared war.
3 They have sharpened their tongue as the tongue of a serpent; ✡ the poison of asps is under their lips. Pause.
4 Keep me, O Lord, from the hand of the sinner; rescue me from unjust men; who have purposed to overthrow my goings.
5 The proud have hid a snare for me, and have stretched out ropes for snares for my feet; they set a stumbling block for me near the path. Pause.
6 I said to the Lord, You are my God; listen, O Lord, to the voice of my supplication.
7 O Lord God, the strength of my salvation; you have screened my head in the day of battle.
8 Deliver me not, O Lord, to the sinner, * according to my desire: they have devised mischief against me; forsake me not, lest they should be exalted. Pause.
9 As for the head of them that compass me, the mischief of their lips shall cover them.
10 Coals of fire shall fall upon them on the earth; and you shall cast them down in afflictions: they shall not bear up under them.
11 A talkative man shall not prosper on the earth: evils shall hunt the unrighteous man to destruction.
12 I know that the Lord will maintain the cause of the † poor, and the right of the needy ones.
13 Surely the righteous shall give thanks to your name: the upright shall dwell in your presence.
✡ 139:3 Rom 3:13 * 139:8 † 139:12 Gr. singular.