Psalms 140

1 For the music director. A psalm of David. Lord, please save me from those who do evil; protect me especially from those who are violent!

To the chief Musician. A Psalm of David. Free me, O Jehovah, from the evil man; preserve me from the violent man:

2 Their minds are busy plotting evil things, stirring up trouble all day long.

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

3 Their tongues are as sharp as those of snakes; viper's venom is on their lips. (Selah)

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

4 Lord, please keep me from falling into the hands of the wicked; protect me especially from those who are violent, who are plotting my downfall.

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

5 Proud people have hidden a trap for me—they have strung out a net on the path, they have set snares to catch me. (Selah)

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)

6 I told the Lord, “You are my God! Lord, please listen to my cries for help!”

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

7 Lord God, my powerful Savior, you covered my head like a helmet on the day of battle.

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

8 God, don't allow the wicked to get what they want—don't let them be successful in what they plan so they don't become proud. (Selah)

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

9 May the harm spoken against me by those who surround me fall back on them,

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

10 Let burning coals rain down on them! Let them be thrown into the fire, or into bottomless pits, never to rise again.

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

11 Don't let people who slander others live in our land. May disaster strike down violent people.

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

12 Yet I know the Lord defends the rights of those who are persecuted, and gives justice to the poor.

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

13 Truly those who live right are thankful for the kind of person you are, and those who are honest will live in your presence.

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