< Psalms 140 >
1 Unto the end, a psalm for David. Deliver me, O Lord, from the evil man: rescue me from the unjust man.
Deliver me, O Jehovah, from the evil man. Preserve me from the violent man,
2 Who have devised iniquities in their hearts: all the day long they designed battles.
and men who devise mischievous things in their heart. They gather themselves continually together for war.
3 They have sharpened their tongues like a serpent: the venom of saps is under their lips.
They have sharpened their tongue like a serpent. Adders' poison is under their lips. (Selah)
4 Keep me, O Lord, from the hand of the wicked: and from unjust men deliver me. Who have proposed to supplant my steps.
Keep me, O Jehovah, from the hands of a wicked man. Preserve me from violent men, who have purposed to thrust aside my steps.
5 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.
The proud have hid a snare for me, and cords. They have spread a net by the wayside. They have set snares for me. (Selah)
6 I said to the Lord: Thou art my God: hear, O Lord, the voice of my supplication.
I said to Jehovah, Thou are my God. Give ear to the voice of my supplications, O Jehovah.
7 O Lord, Lord, the strength of my salvation: thou hast overshadowed my head in the day of battle.
O Jehovah the Lord, the strength of my salvation, thou have covered my head in the day of battle.
8 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.
Grant not, O Jehovah, the desires of the wicked man. Do not further his evil device. They exalt themselves. (Selah)
9 The head of them compassing me about: the labour of their lips shall overwhelm them.
As for the head of those who encompass me around, let the mischief of their own lips cover them.
10 Burning coals shall fall upon them; thou wilt cast them down into the fire: in miseries they shall not be able to stand.
Let burning coals fall upon them. Let them be cast into the fire, into deep pits, from where they shall not rise.
11 A man full of tongue shall not be established in the earth: evil shall catch the unjust man unto destruction.
An evil speaker shall not be established in the earth. Evil shall hunt the violent man to overthrow him.
12 I know that the Lord will do justice to the needy, and will revenge the poor.
I know that Jehovah will maintain the cause of the afflicted man, and justice for the needy.
13 But as for the just, they shall give glory to thy name: and the upright shall dwell with thy countenance.
Surely the righteous shall give thanks to thy name. The upright shall dwell in thy presence.