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.” Deliver me, O Lord, from an evil man; from a man of violence do thou keep me;

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

Who think over evil [resolves] in their heart, [who] every day are gathered together for war.

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 poison of the adder 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.

Preserve me, O Lord, from the hands of the wicked, from the man of violence do thou keep me, who think of overthrowing 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 side of [my] track; traps have they set for me. (Selah)

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

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

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

O thou Eternal Lord, the strength of my salvation, thou hast covered my head on 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 Lord, the longings of the wicked; suffer not his wicked device to succeed: lest they exalt themselves. (Selah)

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

[As for] the heads of those that encompass me about, 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 be cast upon them: let them be thrown into the fire; into deep pits, 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 an [evil] tongue be established on the earth: may evil hunt down the violent man to his downfall.

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 procure right for the afflicted, [and] justice for 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.

Surely the righteous shall give thanks unto thy name: the upright shall dwell before thy presence.