Psalm 140
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.
13Surely, the righteous will give thanks to your Name,*
and the upright shall continue in your sight.
A Collect for Fridays
Almighty God, whose most dear Son went not up to joy but first he suffered pain, and entered not into glory before he was crucified: Mercifully grant that we, walking in the way of the cross, may find it none other than the way of life and peace; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord. Amen.
Image Credit: Gold snake ring, Greek, ca. 330–300 BCE
Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Open Access Collection – https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/247591
