Psalm 140

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.
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.
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.
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.

Psalm 141

1  O Lord, I call to you; come to me quickly; •
   hear my voice when I cry to you.
2  Let my prayer rise before you as incense, •
   the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice.
3  Set a watch before my mouth, O Lord, •
   and guard the door of my lips;
4  Let not my heart incline to any evil thing; •
   let me not be occupied in wickedness with evildoers,
      nor taste the pleasures of their table.
5  Let the righteous smite me in friendly rebuke;
      but let not the oil of the unrighteous anoint my head; •
   for my prayer is continually against their wicked deeds.
6  Let their rulers be overthrown in stony places; •
   then they may know that my words are sweet.
7  As when a plough turns over the earth in furrows, •
   let their bones be scattered at the mouth of the Pit.
8  But my eyes are turned to you, Lord God; •
   in you I take refuge; do not leave me defenceless.
9  Protect me from the snare which they have laid for me •
   and from the traps of the evildoers.
10  Let the wicked fall into their own nets, •
   while I pass by in safety.