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!

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

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

Who have devised iniquities in their hearts: all the day long they designed battles.

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

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

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 Lord, from the hand of the wicked: and from unjust men deliver me. Who have proposed to supplant 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 net for me. And they have stretched out cords for a snare: they have laid for me a stumblingblock by the wayside.

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

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

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

O Lord, Lord, the strength of my salvation: thou hast overshadowed 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)

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.

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

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

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

Burning coals shall fall upon them; thou wilt cast them down into the fire: in miseries they shall not be able to stand.

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

A man full of tongue shall not be established in the earth: evil shall catch the unjust man unto destruction.

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

I know that the Lord will do justice to the needy, and will revenge the poor.

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.

But as for the just, they shall give glory to thy name: and the upright shall dwell with thy countenance.