Psalms 140

A prayer for help against evil people

1Lord, please save me from evil people. Keep me safe from people who like to attack others.

2They think of evil ideas to hurt people. They only want to cause trouble!

3Their words hurt people, like the tongue of a snake. They bite with poison, like a dangerous snake. Selah

4Lord, keep me safe from the power of wicked people. Keep me safe from violent people who want to attack me.

5Proud people have prepared a trap to catch me. They have put their nets across my path. Selah.

6Lord, I say to you, ‘You are my God.’ Lord, hear my prayer for help!

7Lord, my Lord, you are my strong helper. You keep me safe when I fight in a battle.

8Lord, do not let wicked people do what they want to do. Stop them when they prepare to attack. Selah.

9Give trouble to the people who come round me to attack! Let the bad things that they say against me happen to them instead!

10Drop burning coals on them like rain! Throw those people into the fire! Let them fall into deep holes that they cannot get out of!

11People who tell cruel lies should not live in our land. Trouble will happen to people who like to fight. Bad trouble will knock them down!

12I know that the Lord helps poor people. He makes sure that they receive justice.

13Your righteous people will always praise you. Good, honest people will live near to you.