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:

To the leader. A Psalm of David. Rescue me, Lord, from evil people; from the violent guard me

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

from those who plot evil in their heart, and stir up war continually:

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

who make their tongue as sharp as a serpent’s, and under whose lips is the poison of adders. (Selah)

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

Preserve me, O Lord, from the hands of the wicked, from the violent guard me from those who are plotting to trip up my feet.

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 trap for me, cords they have spread as a net for my feet: snares they have set at the side of my track. (Selah)

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

I have said to the Lord, “My God are you; attend, Lord, to my loud plea.

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

O Lord my Lord, my savior mighty, you did cover 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; and what they have purposed, promote you not.” (Selah)

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

Let them not lift up their heads against me. May the mischief they prate bring themselves to destruction,

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

may he rain upon them coals of fire, may he strike them down swiftly, to rise no more,

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

no place in the land may there be for the slanderer: may the violent be hunted from sorrow to sorrow.

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 right by the weak, and will execute justice for those who are needy.

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

Surely the righteous shall praise your name, and they who are upright shall live in your presence.