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.” Deliver me, O Lord, from an evil man; from a man of violence do thou keep me;

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

Who think over evil [resolves] in their heart, [who] every day are gathered together for war.

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

They have sharpened their tongues like a serpent: the poison of the adder 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.

Preserve me, O Lord, from the hands of the wicked, from the man of violence do thou keep me, who think of overthrowing 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 side of [my] track; traps have they set for me. (Selah)

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

I have said unto the Lord, Thou art my God: give ear, O Lord, 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.

O thou Eternal Lord, the strength of my salvation, thou hast covered my head 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.

Grant not, O Lord, the longings of the wicked; suffer not his wicked device to succeed: lest they exalt themselves. (Selah)

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

[As for] the heads of those that encompass me about, 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 be cast upon them: let them be thrown into the fire; into deep pits, 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 an [evil] tongue be established on the earth: may evil hunt down the violent man to his downfall.

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

I know that the Lord will procure right for the afflicted, [and] justice for the needy.

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

Surely the righteous shall give thanks unto thy name: the upright shall dwell before thy presence.