Psalms 140

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

To the chief Musician. A Psalm of David. Free me, O Jehovah, from the evil man; preserve me from the violent man:

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

Who devise mischiefs in [their] heart; every day are they banded together for war.

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

They sharpen their tongues like a serpent; adders' poison is under their lips. (Selah)

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

Keep me, O Jehovah, from the hands of the wicked [man], preserve me from the violent man, who devise to overthrow 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 proud have hidden a snare for me, and cords; they have spread a net by the way-side; they have set traps for me. (Selah)

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

I have said unto Jehovah, Thou art my God: give ear, O Jehovah, to the voice of my supplications.

7 O GOD the Lord, the strength of my salvation, You shield my head in the day of battle.

Jehovah, the Lord, is the strength of my salvation: thou hast covered my head in the day of battle.

8 Grant not, O LORD, the desires of the wicked; do not promote their evil plans, lest they be exalted.

Grant not, O Jehovah, the desire of the wicked; further not his device: they would exalt themselves. (Selah)

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

[As for] the head of those that encompass me, let the mischief of their own lips cover them.

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

Let burning coals fall on them; let them be cast into the fire; into deep waters, that they rise not up again.

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

Let not the man of [evil] tongue be established in the earth: evil shall hunt the man of violence to [his] ruin.

12 I know that the LORD upholds justice for the poor and defends the cause of the needy.

I know that Jehovah will maintain the cause of the afflicted one, the right of the needy.

13 Surely the righteous will praise Your name; the upright will dwell in Your presence.

Yea, the righteous shall give thanks unto thy name; the upright shall dwell in thy presence.