Psalms 140

1 For the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. Rescue me, O LORD, from evil men. Protect me from men of violence,

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

2 who devise evil in their hearts and stir up war all day long.

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

3 They sharpen their tongues like snakes; the venom of vipers is on their lips.

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

4 Guard me, O LORD, from the hands of the wicked. Keep me safe from men of violence who scheme to make me stumble.

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 hide a snare for me; the cords of their net are spread along the path, and lures are set out for me.

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 say to the LORD, “You are my God.” Hear, O LORD, my cry for help.

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

7 O GOD the Lord, the strength of my salvation, You shield 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 Grant not, O LORD, the desires of the wicked; do not promote their evil plans, lest they be exalted.

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 May the heads of those who surround me be covered in the trouble their lips have caused.

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

10 May burning coals fall on them; may they be thrown into the fire, into the miry pits, never to rise again.

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 May no slanderer be established in the land; may calamity hunt down the man of violence.

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 upholds justice for the poor and defends the cause of the needy.

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

13 Surely the righteous will praise 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.