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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Yahweh, my Lord, you are powerfully able to save me; you shield 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)

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

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

Those who surround me raise their heads; 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 on them; throw them into the fire, into bottomless pits, never more to rise.

11 Let not the man of [evil] tongue be established in the earth: evil shall hunt the man of violence to [his] 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 Jehovah will maintain the cause of the afflicted one, the right of the needy.

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

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

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