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 Melody of David. Rescue me, O Yahweh, from the men of mischief, From the men of violence, wilt thou preserve me:

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

Who have devised mischiefs in their [heart], Every day, do they stir up wars:

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

They have sharpened their tongue like a serpent, —The poison of the asp, 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 Yahweh, from the hands of the lawless one, From the man of violence, wilt thou preserve me, —who have devised, to thrust at 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, have they spread as a net beside the track, Snares, have they set 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 Yahweh, My GOD, thou art! Give ear, O Yahweh, unto 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.

O Yahweh, My Lord, my saving strength, thou hast screened 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)

Do not grant, O Yahweh, the desires of the lawless one, his device, do not promote, 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 them who surround me, Let the mischief of their 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.

May there be dropped on them live coals, —Into the fire, may they be let fall, into watery pits [from which] they shall not rise.

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

As for the slanderer, let him not be established in the earth, —As for the man of wrongful violence, let misfortune hunt him with thrust upon thrust.

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 Yahweh will execute, the right of the oppressed one, the vindication of the needy.

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

Surely, the righteous, shall give thanks to thy Name, the upright shall dwell in thy presence.