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:

“For the leader of the music. A psalm of David.” Deliver me, O LORD! from the evil man, Save me from the man of violence,

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

Who meditate mischief in their heart, And daily stir up war!

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

They sharpen their tongues like a serpent; The poison of the adder is under their lips. (Pause)

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

Defend me, O LORD! from the hands of the wicked, Preserve me from the man of violence, Who have purposed to cause my fall! (Pause)

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 snares and cords for me; They have spread a net by the way-side; They have set traps for me.

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

I say to Jehovah, Thou art my God; Hear, O Jehovah! 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.

The Lord Jehovah is my saving strength: Thou shelterest 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)

Grant not, O LORD! the desires of the wicked; Let not their devices prosper; Let them not exalt themselves!

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

As for the heads of those who encompass me, Let the mischief of their own lips cover them!

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

Let burning coals fall upon them; May they be cast into the fire, And into deep waters from which they shall not arise!

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

The slanderer shall not be established upon the earth; Evil shall pursue the violent man to 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 maintain the cause of the afflicted, And the right of the poor.

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

Yea, the righteous shall praise thy name; The upright shall dwell in thy presence!