With our country in crisis and the threat of further violence looming, I encourage you to pray Psalm 140 with me today and every day up to and even beyond Inauguration Day – in your private prayer time, with your family and friends, and as a church. The psalm is incredibly applicable to where we are today as a country. I have combined wording from several translations here and adapted the pronouns so that it can be prayed as a corporate prayer:
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Rescue us, O Lord, from evil men; preserve us from violent men who devise evil things in their hearts; they continually stir up wars. They sharpen their tongues as serpents; the poison of vipers is under their lips.
Keep us, O Lord, from the hands of the wicked; preserve us from violent men who have purposed to trip up our feet. The proud have hidden a snare for us; they have spread out the cords of their net and have set traps for us.
You are our God; give ear, O Lord, to the voice of our supplications! O God the Lord, the strength of our salvation, protect our heads in the day of battle. Do not grant the desires of the wicked; do not let their plans succeed!
As for those who surround us, may the mischief of their lips overwhelm them. May burning coals fall upon them; may they be cast into the fire, into miry pits, no more to rise. May slanderers not be established in the land; may disaster hunt down the violent.
We know that You will maintain the cause of the afflicted and justice for the poor. Surely the righteous will give thanks to Your name; the upright will dwell in Your presence!
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