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 Overseer. — A Psalm of David. Deliver me, O Jehovah, from an evil man, From one of violence Thou keepest me.

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

Who have devised evils in the heart, All the day they assemble [for] wars.

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

They sharpened their tongue as a serpent, Poison of an 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, Jehovah, from the hands of the wicked, From one of violence Thou keepest me, Who have devised 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 hid a snare for me — and cords, They spread a net by the side of the path, Snares they have set for me. (Selah)

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

I have said to Jehovah, 'My God [art] Thou, Hear, Jehovah, 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 Jehovah, my Lord, strength of my salvation, Thou hast covered my head in the day of armour.

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 desires of the wicked, His wicked device bring not forth, They are high. (Selah)

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

The chief of my surrounders, The perverseness of their lips covereth them.

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

They cause to fall on themselves burning coals, Into fire He doth cast them, Into deep pits — they arise not.

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

A talkative man is not established in the earth, One of violence — evil hunteth to overflowing.

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

I have known that Jehovah doth execute The judgment of the afflicted, The judgment of the needy.

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

Only — the righteous give thanks to Thy name, The upright do dwell with Thy presence!