Psalms 140

1 Unto the end. A Psalm of David. Rescue me, O Lord, from the evil man. Rescue me from the iniquitous leader.

For the chief musician. A psalm of David. Yahweh, rescue me from the wicked; preserve me from violent men.

2 Those who have devised iniquities in their hearts: all day long they constructed conflicts.

They plan evil in their hearts; they cause battles every day.

3 They have sharpened their tongues like a serpent. The venom of asps is under their lips.

Their tongues wound like serpents; vipers' poison is on their lips. (Selah)

4 Preserve me, O Lord, from the hand of the sinner, and rescue me from men of iniquity. They have decided to supplant my steps.

Keep me from the hands of the wicked, Yahweh; preserve me from violent men who plan to knock me over.

5 The arrogant have hidden a snare for me. And they have stretched out cords for a snare. They have placed a stumbling block for me near the road.

The proud have set a trap for me; they have spread a net; they have set a snare for me. (Selah)

6 I said to the Lord: You are my God. O Lord, heed the voice of my supplication.

I said to Yahweh, “You are my God; listen to my cries for mercy.”

7 Lord, O Lord, the strength of my salvation: you have overshadowed my head in the day of war.

Yahweh, my Lord, you are powerfully able to save me; you shield my head in the day of battle.

8 O Lord, do not hand me over to the sinner by my desire. They have plotted against me. Do not abandon me, lest they should triumph.

Yahweh, do not grant the desires of the wicked; do not let their plots succeed. (Selah)

9 The head of those who encompass me, the labor of their lips, will overwhelm them.

Those who surround me raise their heads; let the mischief of their own lips cover them.

10 Burning coals will fall upon them. You will cast them down into the fire, into miseries that they will not be able to withstand.

Let burning coals fall on them; throw them into the fire, into bottomless pits, never more to rise.

11 A talkative man will not be guided aright upon the earth. Evils will drag the unjust man unto utter ruin.

May men of tongues not be made secure on the earth; may evil hunt down the violent man to strike him dead.

12 I know that the Lord will accomplish justice for the needy and vindication for the poor.

I know that Yahweh will judge in favor of the afflicted, and that he will give justice to the needy.

13 So then, truly, the just will confess your name, and the upright will dwell with your countenance.

Surely the righteous people will give thanks to your name; the upright people will live in your presence.