Psalms 140

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

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

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

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

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

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

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 hidden a snare for me, they have spread the cords of a net by the path. They have set traps 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 the LORD, “You are my God.” Listen to the cry of my petitions, LORD.

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

7 LORD, the Lord, the strength of my salvation, you 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 LORD, do not grant the desires of the wicked. Do not let their evil plans succeed, or they will become proud. (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 surround me, 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 on them. Let them be thrown into the fire, into miry pits, from where they never 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 will not be established in the earth. Evil will 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 the LORD will maintain the cause of the afflicted, 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 will give thanks to your name. The upright will dwell in your presence.

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