Psalms 140

1 Deliver me, O Jehovah, from the evil man. Preserve me from the violent man,

“For the leader of the music. A psalm of David.” Deliver me, O LORD! from the evil man, Save me from the man of violence,

2 and men who devise mischievous things in their heart. They gather themselves continually together for war.

Who meditate mischief in their heart, And daily stir up war!

3 They have sharpened their tongue like a serpent. Adders' poison is under their lips. (Selah)

They sharpen their tongues like a serpent; The poison of the adder is under their lips. (Pause)

4 Keep me, O Jehovah, from the hands of a wicked man. Preserve me from violent men, who have purposed to thrust aside my steps.

Defend me, O LORD! from the hands of the wicked, Preserve me from the man of violence, Who have purposed to cause my fall! (Pause)

5 The proud have hid a snare for me, and cords. They have spread a net by the wayside. They have set snares for me. (Selah)

The proud have hidden snares and cords for me; They have spread a net by the way-side; They have set traps for me.

6 I said to Jehovah, Thou are my God. Give ear to the voice of my supplications, O Jehovah.

I say to Jehovah, Thou art my God; Hear, O Jehovah! the voice of my supplication!

7 O Jehovah the Lord, the strength of my salvation, thou have covered my head in the day of battle.

The Lord Jehovah is my saving strength: Thou shelterest my head in the day of battle!

8 Grant not, O Jehovah, the desires of the wicked man. Do not further his evil device. They exalt themselves. (Selah)

Grant not, O LORD! the desires of the wicked; Let not their devices prosper; Let them not exalt themselves!

9 As for the head of those who encompass me around, let the mischief of their own lips cover them.

As for the heads of those who encompass me, Let the mischief of their own lips cover them!

10 Let burning coals fall upon them. Let them be cast into the fire, into deep pits, from where they shall not rise.

Let burning coals fall upon them; May they be cast into the fire, And into deep waters from which they shall not arise!

11 An evil speaker shall not be established in the earth. Evil shall hunt the violent man to overthrow him.

The slanderer shall not be established upon the earth; Evil shall pursue the violent man to destruction.

12 I know that Jehovah will maintain the cause of the afflicted man, and justice for the needy.

I know that the LORD will maintain the cause of the afflicted, And the right of the poor.

13 Surely the righteous shall give thanks to thy name. The upright shall dwell in thy presence.

Yea, the righteous shall praise thy name; The upright shall dwell in thy presence!