Psalms 140

1 For the Leader. A Psalm of David. Deliver me, O LORD, from the evil man; preserve me from the violent man;

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

2 Who devise evil things in their heart; every day do they stir up wars.

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

3 They have sharpened their tongue like a serpent; vipers' venom is under their lips. (Selah)

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

4 Keep me, O LORD, from the hands of the wicked; preserve me from the violent man; who have purposed to make my steps slip.

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

5 The proud have hid a snare for me, and cords; they have spread a net by the wayside; they have set gins for 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 have said unto the LORD: 'Thou art my God'; give ear, O LORD, unto the voice of my supplications.

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

7 O GOD the Lord, the strength of my salvation, who hast screened my head in the day of battle,

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

8 Grant not, O LORD, the desires of the wicked; further not his evil device, so that they exalt themselves. (Selah)

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

9 As for the head of those that compass me about, let the mischief of their own lips cover them.

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

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

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

11 A slanderer shall not be established in the earth; the violent and evil man shall be hunted with thrust upon thrust.

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

12 I know that the LORD will maintain the cause of the poor, and the right of the needy.

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

13 Surely the righteous shall give thanks unto Thy name; the upright shall dwell in Thy presence.

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