Psalm 140

Refrain:    Keep me, O Lord, from the hands of the wicked.

1    Deliver me, O Lord, from evildoers  

and protect me from the violent,

2    Who devise evil in their hearts  

and stir up strife all the day long.

3    They have sharpened their tongues like a serpent;  

adder’s poison is under their lips.

4    Keep me, O Lord, from the hands of the wicked;  

protect me from the violent

who seek to make me stumble.

5    The proud have laid a snare for me

and spread out a net of cords;  

they have set traps along my path. [R]

6    I have 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 covered my head in the day of battle.

8    ‘Do not grant the desires of the wicked, O Lord,  

do not prosper their wicked plans. [R]

9    ‘Let not those who surround me lift up their heads;  

let the evil of their own lips fall upon them.

10  ‘Let hot burning coals rain upon them;  

let them be cast into the depths, that they rise not again.’

11  No slanderer shall prosper on the earth,  

and evil shall hunt down the violent to overthrow them. [R]

12  I know that the Lord will bring justice for the oppressed  

and maintain the cause of the needy.

13  Surely, the righteous will give thanks to your name,  

and the upright shall dwell in your presence.

Refrain:    Keep me, O Lord, from the hands of the wicked.

Glorious Saviour,

rescue us from the subtle evils that are too strong for us,

from poisonous words and the spirit of war;

by your judgement overthrow the forces of violence,

that all the world may join to worship you

in thanksgiving and peace,

now and for ever.

 

Common Worship: Daily Prayer, material from which is included here,
is copyright © The Archbishops' Council 2005 and published by Church House Publishing.

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