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 leader of the music. A psalm of David.” Deliver me, O LORD! from the evil man, Save me from the man of violence,

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

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

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

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

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

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 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 snares and cords for me; They have spread a net by the way-side; They have set traps for me.

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

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

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

The Lord Jehovah is my saving strength: Thou shelterest 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 LORD! the desires of the wicked; Let not their devices prosper; Let them not exalt themselves!

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

As for the heads of those who 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 upon them; May they be cast into the fire, And into deep waters from which they shall not arise!

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

The slanderer shall not be established upon the earth; Evil shall pursue the violent man to destruction.

12 I know that the LORD upholds justice for the poor and defends the cause of 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 praise Your name; the upright will dwell in Your presence.

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