Persevering Protection

Tune: Staff Of Faith

('My faith it is an oaken staff')

Psalm 140

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Deliver me, LORD, from evil

I unto you do call

Preserve me from the violent man

Help as only you can

In heart they mischief imagine

Not content until it be done

They for war together gathered

Sharpened their tongue, their word[s]

 

Keep me, LORD, from the wicked's hands

I shall not join their bands

They seek my steps to overthrow

To persecute me so

Snares, cords, traps they set by wayside

They come near place where I reside

I said to the LORD, that He be

My God, look e'en on me

 

O LORD hear th voice of my prayer

Perform your justice fair

O GOD the Lord, you the strength be

Of my salvation free

You have covered my head in day

Of battle, sheltered me, your way

I seek, lead me on and grant not

Desires of wicked's lot

 

Further them not, lest they exalt

Themselves, and [the] godly halt

Let their own mischief on them fall

That their plans fail and stall

Let burning coals be on them cast*

So their devices shall not last

And thrown into deep pits so they

Be gone, vanish away

 

Let not an evil speaker be

Established in earth, see

Evil shall hunt the violent man

Overthrown be his plan

I know the LORD cause will maintain

of afflicted, poor, they shall gain

Justice, the righteous your name praise

Dwell with you all their days

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* Burning coals can be seen as punishment, though also as symbolising

turning away from sins in repenting and penitence.