Psalms 140

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

For the music director. A psalm of David. Lord, please save me from those who do evil; protect me especially from those who are violent!

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

Their minds are busy plotting evil things, stirring up trouble all day long.

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

Their tongues are as sharp as those of snakes; viper's venom is on 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.

Lord, please keep me from falling into the hands of the wicked; protect me especially from those who are violent, who are plotting my downfall.

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.

Proud people have hidden a trap for me—they have strung out a net on the path, they have set snares to catch me. (Selah)

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

I told the Lord, “You are my God! Lord, please listen to my cries for help!”

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

Lord God, my powerful Savior, you covered my head like a helmet on the day of battle.

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

God, don't allow the wicked to get what they want—don't let them be successful in what they plan so they don't become proud. (Selah)

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

May the harm spoken against me by those who surround me fall back on 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 rain down on them! Let them be thrown into the fire, or into bottomless pits, never to rise again.

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

Don't let people who slander others live in our land. May disaster strike down violent people.

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

Yet I know the Lord defends the rights of those who are persecuted, and gives justice to the poor.

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

Truly those who live right are thankful for the kind of person you are, and those who are honest will live in your presence.