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Psalm 140

Prayer for Deliverance from Enemies

To the leader. A Psalm of David.
¹ Deliver me, O Lord, from evildoers;
   protect me from those who are violent,
² who plan evil things in their minds
   and stir up wars continually.
³ They make their tongue sharp as a snake’s,
   and under their lips is the venom of vipers.
          Selah

⁴ Guard me, O Lord, from the hands of the wicked;
   protect me from the violent
   who have planned my downfall.
⁵ The arrogant have hidden a trap for me,
   and with cords they have spread a net;^*
   along the road they have set snares for me.
          Selah

⁶ I say to the Lord, ‘You are my God;
   give ear, O Lord, to the voice of my supplications.’
⁷ O Lord, my Lord, my strong deliverer,
   you have covered my head in the day of battle.
⁸ Do not grant, O Lord, the desires of the wicked;
   do not further their evil plot.^*
          Selah

⁹ Those who surround me lift up their heads;^*
   let the mischief of their lips overwhelm them!
¹⁰ Let burning coals fall on them!
   Let them be flung into pits, no more to rise!
¹¹ Do not let the slanderer be established in the land;
   let evil speedily hunt down the violent!

¹² I know that the Lord maintains the cause of the needy,
and executes justice for the poor.
¹³ Surely the righteous shall give thanks to your name;
the upright shall live in your presence.

Psalm 142

Prayer for Deliverance from Persecutors

A Maskil of David. When he was in the cave. A Prayer.
¹ With my voice I cry to the Lord;
   with my voice I make supplication to the Lord.
² I pour out my complaint before him;
   I tell my trouble before him.
³ When my spirit is faint,
   you know my way.

In the path where I walk
   they have hidden a trap for me.
⁴ Look on my right hand and see—
   there is no one who takes notice of me;
no refuge remains to me;
   no one cares for me.

⁵ I cry to you, O Lord;
   I say, ‘You are my refuge,
   my portion in the land of the living.’
⁶ Give heed to my cry,
   for I am brought very low.

Save me from my persecutors,
   for they are too strong for me.
⁷ Bring me out of prison,
   so that I may give thanks to your name.
The righteous will surround me,
   for you will deal bountifully with me.

Psalm 141

Prayer for Preservation from Evil

A Psalm of David.
¹ I call upon you, O Lord; come quickly to me;
give ear to my voice when I call to you.
² Let my prayer be counted as incense before you,
and the lifting up of my hands as an evening sacrifice.

³ Set a guard over my mouth, O Lord;
   keep watch over the door of my lips.
⁴ Do not turn my heart to any evil,
   to busy myself with wicked deeds
in company with those who work iniquity;
   do not let me eat of their delicacies.

⁵ Let the righteous strike me;
   let the faithful correct me.
Never let the oil of the wicked anoint my head,^*
   for my prayer is continually^* against their wicked deeds.
⁶ When they are given over to those who shall condemn them,
   then they shall learn that my words were pleasant.
⁷ Like a rock that one breaks apart and shatters on the land,
   so shall their bones be strewn at the mouth of Sheol.^*

⁸ But my eyes are turned towards you, O God, my Lord;
   in you I seek refuge; do not leave me defenceless.
⁹ Keep me from the trap that they have laid for me,
   and from the snares of evildoers.
¹⁰ Let the wicked fall into their own nets,
   while I alone escape.

Psalm 143

Prayer for Deliverance from Enemies

A Psalm of David.
¹ Hear my prayer, O Lord;
   give ear to my supplications in your faithfulness;
   answer me in your righteousness.
² Do not enter into judgement with your servant,
   for no one living is righteous before you.

³ For the enemy has pursued me,
   crushing my life to the ground,
   making me sit in darkness like those long dead.
⁴ Therefore my spirit faints within me;
   my heart within me is appalled.

⁵ I remember the days of old,
   I think about all your deeds,
   I meditate on the works of your hands.
⁶ I stretch out my hands to you;
   my soul thirsts for you like a parched land.
          Selah

⁷ Answer me quickly, O Lord;
   my spirit fails.
Do not hide your face from me,
   or I shall be like those who go down to the Pit.
⁸ Let me hear of your steadfast love in the morning,
   for in you I put my trust.
Teach me the way I should go,
   for to you I lift up my soul.

⁹ Save me, O Lord, from my enemies;
   I have fled to you for refuge.^*
¹⁰ Teach me to do your will,
   for you are my God.
Let your good spirit lead me
   on a level path.

¹¹ For your name’s sake, O Lord, preserve my life.
   In your righteousness bring me out of trouble.
¹² In your steadfast love cut off my enemies,
   and destroy all my adversaries,
   for I am your servant.