Psalms 140

1 For the Chief Musician. A Psalm by David. Deliver me, LORD, from evil men. Preserve me from violent men:

Unto the end. A Psalm of David. Rescue me, O Lord, from the evil man. Rescue me from the iniquitous leader.

2 those who devise mischief in their hearts. They continually gather themselves together for war.

Those who have devised iniquities in their hearts: all day long they constructed conflicts.

3 They have sharpened their tongues like a serpent. Viper’s poison is under their lips. (Selah)

They have sharpened their tongues like a serpent. The venom of asps is under their lips.

4 LORD, keep me from the hands of the wicked. Preserve me from the violent men who have determined to trip my feet.

Preserve me, O Lord, from the hand of the sinner, and rescue me from men of iniquity. They have decided to supplant my steps.

5 The proud have hidden a snare for me, they have spread the cords of a net by the path. They have set traps for me. (Selah)

The arrogant have hidden a snare for me. And they have stretched out cords for a snare. They have placed a stumbling block for me near the road.

6 I said to the LORD, “You are my God.” Listen to the cry of my petitions, LORD.

I said to the Lord: You are my God. O Lord, heed the voice of my supplication.

7 LORD, the Lord, the strength of my salvation, you have covered my head in the day of battle.

Lord, O Lord, the strength of my salvation: you have overshadowed my head in the day of war.

8 LORD, do not grant the desires of the wicked. Do not let their evil plans succeed, or they will become proud. (Selah)

O Lord, do not hand me over to the sinner by my desire. They have plotted against me. Do not abandon me, lest they should triumph.

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

The head of those who encompass me, the labor of their lips, will overwhelm them.

10 Let burning coals fall on them. Let them be thrown into the fire, into miry pits, from where they never rise.

Burning coals will fall upon them. You will cast them down into the fire, into miseries that they will not be able to withstand.

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

A talkative man will not be guided aright upon the earth. Evils will drag the unjust man unto utter ruin.

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

I know that the Lord will accomplish justice for the needy and vindication for the poor.

13 Surely the righteous will give thanks to your name. The upright will dwell in your presence.

So then, truly, the just will confess your name, and the upright will dwell with your countenance.