Psalms 140

1 To the chief music-maker. A Psalm. Of David. O Lord, take me out of the power of the evil man; keep me safe from the violent man:

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

2 For their hearts are full of evil designs; and they are ever making ready causes of war.

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

3 Their tongues are sharp like the tongue of a snake; the poison of snakes is under their lips. (Selah)

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

4 O Lord, take me out of the hands of sinners; keep me safe from the violent man: for they are designing my downfall.

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 men of pride have put secret cords for my feet; stretching nets in my way, so that they may take me with their tricks. (Selah)

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 have said to the Lord, You are my God: give ear, O Lord, to the voice of my prayer.

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

7 O Lord God, the strength of my salvation, you have been a cover over my head in the day of the fight.

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

8 O Lord, give not the wrongdoer his desire; give him no help in his evil designs, or he may be uplifted in pride. (Selah)

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

9 As for those who come round me, let their heads be covered by the evil of their lips.

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

10 Let burning flames come down on them: let them be put into the fire, and into deep waters, so that they may not get up again.

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

11 Let not a man of evil tongue be safe on earth: let destruction overtake the violent man with blow on blow.

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

12 I am certain that the Lord will take care of the cause of the poor, and of the rights of those who are troubled.

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

13 Truly, the upright will give praise to your name: the holy will have a place in your house.

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