Page:Book of common prayer (TEC, 1979).pdf/796

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140Eripe me, Domine

1Deliver me, O Lord, from evildoers; *
protect me from the violent,

2Who devise evil in their hearts *
and stir up strife all day long.

3They have sharpened their tongues like a serpent; *
adder’s poison is under their lips.

4Keep me, O Lord, from the hands of the wicked; *
protect me from the violent,
who are determined to trip me up.

5The proud have hidden a snare for me
and stretched out a net of cords; *
they have set traps for me along the path.

6I have said to the Lord, “You are my God; *
listen, O Lord, to my supplication.

7O Lord God, the strength of my salvation, *
you have covered my head in the day of battle.

8Do not grant the desires of the wicked, O Lord, *
nor let their evil plans prosper.

9Let not those who surround me lift up their heads; *
let the evil of their lips overwhelm them.

10Let hot burning coals fall upon them; *
let them be cast into the mire, never to rise up again.”

11A slanderer shall not be established on the earth, *
and evil shall hunt down the lawless.

12I know that the Lord will maintain the cause of the poor *
and render justice to the needy.

796Psalm 140