Psalms 56; Psalms 120; Psalms 140; Psalms 141; Psalms 142

1 God, have mercy on me because I'm being trampled. All day long the enemy oppresses me.

2 My attackers trample me all day long because I have so many enemies. Exalted one,

3 whenever I'm afraid, I put my trust in you—

4 in God, whose word I praise. I trust in God; I won't be afraid. What can mere flesh do to me?

5 All day long they frustrate my pursuits; all their thoughts are evil against me.

6 They get together and set an ambush— they are watching my steps, hoping for my death.

7 Don't rescue them for any reason! In wrath bring down the people, God!

8 You yourself have kept track of my misery. Put my tears into your bottle— aren't they on your scroll already?

9 Then my enemies will retreat when I cry out. I know this because God is mine.

10 God: whose word I praise. The LORD: whose word I praise.

11 I trust in God; I won't be afraid. What can anyone do to me?

12 I will fulfill my promises to you, God. I will present thanksgiving offerings to you

13 because you have saved my life from death, saved my feet from stumbling so that I can walk before God in the light of life.

1 I cried out to the LORD when I was in trouble (and he answered me):

2 "LORD, deliver me from lying lips and a dishonest tongue!"

3 What more will be given to you, what more will be done to you, you dishonest tongue?

4 Just this: a warrior's sharpened arrows, coupled with burning coals from a wood fire!

5 Oh, I'm doomed because I have been an immigrant in Meshech, because I've made my home among Kedar's tents.

6 I've lived far too long with people who hate peace.

7 I'm for peace, but when I speak, they are for war.

1 Rescue me from evil people, LORD! Guard me from violent people

2 who plot evil things in their hearts, who pick fights every single day!

3 They sharpen their tongues like a snake's; spider poison is on their lips. Selah

4 Protect me from the power of the wicked, LORD! Guard me from violent people who plot to trip me up!

5 Arrogant people have laid a trap for me with ropes. They've spread out a net alongside the road. They've set snares for me. Selah

6 I tell the LORD, "You are my God! Listen to my request for mercy, LORD!"

7 My LORD God, my strong saving help— you've protected my head on the day of battle.

8 LORD, don't give the wicked what they want! Don't allow their plans to succeed, or they'll exalt themselves even more! Selah

9 Let the heads of the people surrounding me be covered with the trouble their own lips caused!

10 Let burning coals fall on them! Let them fall into deep pits and never get out again!

11 Let no slanderer be safe in the land. Let calamity hunt down violent people—and quickly!

12 I know that the LORD will take up the case of the poor and will do what is right for the needy.

13 Yes, the righteous will give thanks to your name, and those who do right will live in your presence.

1 I cry out to you, LORD: Come to me—quickly! Listen to my voice when I cry out to you!

2 Let my prayer stand before you like incense; let my uplifted hands be like the evening offering.

3 Set a guard over my mouth, LORD; keep close watch over the door that is my lips.

4 Don't let my heart turn aside to evil things so that I don't do wicked things with evildoers, so I don't taste their delicacies.

5 Instead, let the righteous discipline me; let the faithful correct me! Let my head never reject that kind of fine oil, because my prayers are always against the deeds of the wicked.

6 Their leaders will fall from jagged cliffs, but my words will be heard because they are pleasing.

7 Our bones have been scattered at the mouth of the grave, just like when the ground is broken up and plowed.

8 But my eyes are on you, my LORD God. I take refuge in you; don't let me die!

9 Protect me from the trap they've set for me; protect me from the snares of the evildoers.

10 Let the wicked fall into their own nets—all together!— but let me make it through safely.

1 I cry out loud for help from the LORD. I beg out loud for mercy from the LORD.

2 I pour out my concerns before God; I announce my distress to him.

3 When my spirit is weak inside me, you still know my way. But they've hidden a trap for me in the path I'm taking.

4 Look right beside me: See? No one pays attention to me. There's no escape for me. No one cares about my life.

5 I cry to you, LORD, for help. "You are my refuge," I say. "You are all I have in the land of the living."

6 Pay close attention to my shouting, because I've been brought down so low! Deliver me from my oppressors because they're stronger than me.

7 Get me out of this prison so I can give thanks to your name. Then the righteous will gather all around me because of your good deeds to me.