Psalms 140

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

Unto the end, a psalm for David. Deliver me, O Lord, from the evil man: rescue me from the unjust man.

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

Who have devised iniquities in their hearts: all the day long they designed battles.

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

They have sharpened their tongues like a serpent: the venom of saps is under their lips.

4 Keep me, O Jehovah, from the hands of the wicked [man], preserve me from the violent man, who devise to overthrow my steps.

Keep me, O Lord, from the hand of the wicked: and from unjust men deliver me. Who have proposed to supplant my steps.

5 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)

The proud have hidden a net for me. And they have stretched out cords for a snare: they have laid for me a stumblingblock by the wayside.

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

I said to the Lord: Thou art my God: hear, O Lord, the voice of my supplication.

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

O Lord, Lord, the strength of my salvation: thou hast overshadowed my head in the day of battle.

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

Give me not up, O Lord, from my desire to the wicked: they have plotted against me; do not thou forsake me, lest they should triumph.

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

The head of them compassing me about: the labour of their lips shall overwhelm them.

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

Burning coals shall fall upon them; thou wilt cast them down into the fire: in miseries they shall not be able to stand.

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

A man full of tongue shall not be established in the earth: evil shall catch the unjust man unto destruction.

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

I know that the Lord will do justice to the needy, and will revenge the poor.

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

But as for the just, they shall give glory to thy name: and the upright shall dwell with thy countenance.