22 I hate them with all my heart.

They have become my enemies.

23 Examine me, O El , and know my mind.

Test me, and know my thoughts.

24 See whether I am on an evil path.

Then lead me on the everlasting path.

Psalm 140 For the choir leader; a psalm by David.

1 Rescue me from evil people, O Yahweh.

Keep me safe from violent people.

2 They plan evil things in their hearts.

They start fights every day.

3 They make their tongues as sharp as a snake's fang.

Their lips hide the venom of poisonous snakes.

Selah 4 Protect me from the hands of wicked people, O Yahweh.

Keep me safe from violent people.

They try to trip me.

5 Arrogant people have laid a trap for me.

They have spread out a net with ropes.

They have set traps for me along the road.

Selah 6 I said to Yahweh, "You are my El ."

O Yahweh, open your ears to hear my plea for pity.

7 O Yahweh Adonay , the strong one who saves me, you have covered my head in the day of battle.

8 O Yahweh, do not give wicked people what they want.

Do not let their evil plans succeed, Selah or they will become arrogant.

9 Let the heads of those who surround me be covered with their own threats.

10 Let burning coals fall on them.

Let them be thrown into a pit, never to rise again.

11 Do not let slanderers prosper on earth.

Let evil hunt down violent people with one blow after another.

12 I know that Yahweh will defend the rights of those who are oppressed and the cause of those who are needy.

13 Indeed, righteous people will give thanks to your name.

Decent people will live in your presence.

Psalm 141 A psalm by David.

1 O Yahweh, I cry out to you, "Come quickly."

Open your ears to me when I cry out to you.

2 Let my prayer be accepted as sweet-smelling incense in your presence.

Let the lifting up of my hands in prayer be accepted as an evening sacrifice.

3 O Yahweh , set a guard at my mouth.

Keep watch over the door of my lips.

4 Do not let me be persuaded to do anything evil or to become involved with wickedness, with people who are troublemakers.

Do not let me taste their delicacies.

5 A righteous person may strike me or correct me out of kindness.

It is like lotion for my head.

My head will not refuse it, because my prayer is directed against evil deeds.

6 When their judges are thrown off a cliff, they will listen to what I have to say.

It will sound pleasant to them.

7 As someone plows and breaks up the ground, so our bones will be planted at the mouth of the grave.a 8 My eyes look to you, Yahweh Adonay .

I have taken refuge in you.

Do not leave me defenseless.

9 Keep me away from the trap they set for me and from the traps set by troublemakers.

10 Let wicked people fall into their own nets, while I escape unharmed.

Psalm 142 A maskilb by David when he was in the cave; a prayer.

1 Loudly, I cry to Yahweh.

Loudly, I plead with Yahweh for mercy.

2 I pour out my complaints in his presence and tell him my troubles.

3 When I begin to lose hope, you already know what I am experiencing.

My enemies have hidden a trap for me on the path where I walk.

4 Look to my right and see that no one notices me.

Escape is impossible for me.

No one cares about me.

5 I call out to you, O Yahweh .

I say, "You are my Machseh , my own inheritance in this world of the living."

6 Pay attention to my cry for help because I am very weak.

Rescue me from those who pursue me because they are too strong for me.

7 Release my soul from prison so that I may give thanks to your name.

Righteous people will surround me because you are good to me.

Psalm 143 A psalm by David.

1 O Yahweh, listen to my prayer.

Open your ears to hear my urgent requests.

Answer me because you are faithful and righteous.

2 Do not take me to court for judgment, because there is no one alive who is righteous in your presence.

3 The enemy has pursued me.

He has ground my life into the dirt.

He has made me live in dark places like those who have died long ago.

4 That is why I begin to lose hope and my heart is in a state of shock.

5 I remember the days long ago.

I reflect on all that you have done.

I carefully consider what your hands have made.

6 I stretch out my hands to you in prayer.

Like parched land, my soul thirsts for you.

Selah 7 Answer me quickly, O Yahweh.

My spirit is worn out.

Do not hide your face from me, or I will be like those who go into the pit.

8 Let me hear about your mercy in the morning, because I trust you.

Let me know the way that I should go, because I long for you.

9 Rescue me from my enemies, O Yahweh.

I come to you for protection.

10 Teach me to do your will, because you are my Elohim .

May your good Ruach lead me on level ground.

11 O Yahweh , keep me alive for the sake of your name.

Because you are righteous, lead me out of trouble.

12 In keeping with your mercy, wipe out my enemies and destroy all who torment me, because I am your servant.

Psalm 144 By David.

1 Thank Yahweh, my Tsur, who trained my hands to fight and my fingers to do battle, 2 my merciful one, my Metsuda, my stronghold, and my savior, my Magen , the one in whom I take refuge, and the one who brings people under my authority.

3 O Yahweh, what are humans that you should care about them?

What are mere mortals that you should think about them?

4 Humans are like a breath of air.

Their life span is like a fleeting shadow.

5 O Yahweh, bend your heaven low, and come down.

Touch the mountains, and they will smoke.