Psalms 140

1 Unto the end, a psalm for David. Deliver me, O Lord, from the evil man: rescue me from the unjust man.

[For the Chief Musician. A Psalm by David.] Deliver me, LORD, 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.

those who devise mischief in their hearts. They continually gather themselves together for war.

3 They have sharpened their tongues like a serpent: the venom of saps is under their lips.

They have sharpened their tongues like a serpent. Viper's 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.

LORD, keep me from the hands of the wicked. Preserve me from the violent men who have determined to trip my feet.

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 hidden a snare for me, they have spread the cords of a net by the path. They have set traps for me. (Selah)

6 I said to the Lord: Thou art my God: hear, O Lord, the voice of my supplication.

I said to the LORD, "You are my God." Listen to the cry of my petitions, LORD.

7 O Lord, Lord, the strength of my salvation: thou hast overshadowed my head in the day of battle.

LORD, the Lord, the strength of my salvation, you 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.

LORD, do not grant the desires of the wicked. Do not let their evil plans succeed, or they will become proud. (Selah)

9 The head of them compassing me about: the labour of their lips shall overwhelm them.

As for the head of those who surround me, 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 on them. Let them be thrown into the fire, into miry pits, from where they never 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 won't be established in the earth. Evil will 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 the LORD will maintain the cause of the afflicted, 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 will give thanks to your name. The upright will dwell in your presence.