Shield Me From the Violent
For the director of music. A psalm of David.
A prayer about organized cruelty: men with viper's venom under their lips who stir up war daily and lay snares beside the path. David asks his Father for cover on the day of battle, and trusts that the afflicted will get their case heard.
140 1Rescue me, my Father, from evil people; from the violent keep me safe, 2who scheme evil in their hearts and stir up wars all day long. 3They sharpen their tongues like a serpent; the venom of vipers is under their lips.
4Guard me, my Father, from the hands of the wicked; keep me safe from the violent, who plan to trip me up. 5The proud have hidden a trap for me; they have spread out the cords of a net; beside the path they have set snares for me.
6I said to my Father, "You are my Father." Hear the voice of my pleas for mercy. 7O Sovereign Father, the strength of my salvation, you have shielded my head on the day of battle. 8Do not grant, my Father, the desires of the wicked; do not let their plot succeed, or they will rise up.
9As for the heads of those who surround me, let the trouble of their own lips overwhelm them. 10Let burning coals fall on them; let them be thrown into the fire, into muddy pits, never to rise again. 11Let no slanderer be established in the land; let evil hunt down the violent man, blow upon blow.
12I know that our Father will uphold the cause of the afflicted and bring justice for the needy. 13Surely the righteous will give thanks to your name; the upright will dwell in your presence.
