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 Overseer. — A Psalm of David. Deliver me, O Jehovah, from an evil man, From one of violence Thou keepest me.

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

Who have devised evils in the heart, All the day they assemble [for] wars.

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

They sharpened their tongue as a serpent, Poison of an adder [is] under 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.

Preserve me, Jehovah, from the hands of the wicked, From one of violence Thou keepest me, Who have devised to overthrow 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 hid a snare for me — and cords, They spread a net by the side of the path, Snares they have set for me. (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 Jehovah, 'My God [art] Thou, Hear, Jehovah, the voice of my supplications.'

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

O Jehovah, my Lord, strength of my salvation, Thou hast covered my head in the day of armour.

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

Grant not, O Jehovah, the desires of the wicked, His wicked device bring not forth, They are high. (Selah)

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

The chief of my surrounders, The perverseness of their lips covereth them.

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

They cause to fall on themselves burning coals, Into fire He doth cast them, Into deep pits — they arise not.

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

A talkative man is not established in the earth, One of violence — evil hunteth to overflowing.

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

I have known that Jehovah doth execute The judgment of the afflicted, The judgment of the needy.

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

Only — the righteous give thanks to Thy name, The upright do dwell with Thy presence!