PSALM 140 [†]  y Deliver me, O LORD, from evil men;

preserve me from  z violent men,

2 who plan evil things in their heart

and  a stir up wars continually.

3[^][†] They make  b their tongue sharp as  c a serpent’s,

and  d under their lips is the  e venom of asps. Selah

4 Guard me, O LORD, from the hands of the wicked;

preserve me from  z violent men,

who have planned to trip up my feet.

5 The arrogant have  f hidden a trap for me,

and with cords they have spread  g a net; [1]

beside the way they have set  h snares for me. Selah

6[†]  i I say to the LORD, You are my God;

give ear to  j the voice of my pleas for mercy, O LORD!

7[†] O LORD, my Lord,  k the strength of my salvation,

you have covered my head in the day of battle.

8  l Grant not, O LORD, the desires of the wicked;

do not further their [2] evil plot, or  m they will be exalted! Selah

9[†] As for the head of those who surround me,

let  n the mischief of their lips overwhelm them!

10 Let  o burning coals fall upon them!

Let them be cast into fire,

into miry pits, no more to rise!

11 Let not the slanderer be established in the land;

let evil hunt down the violent man speedily!

12[†] I know that the LORD will  p maintain the cause of the afflicted,

and  q will execute justice for the needy.

13 Surely  r the righteous shall give thanks to your name;

 s the upright shall dwell in your presence.

A Psalm of David.