Psalms 140

1 DELIVER me, O Lord, from the evil man: preserve me from the violent man;

For the Chief Musician. A Psalm by David. Deliver me, LORD, from evil men. Preserve me from violent men:

2 Which imagine mischiefs in their heart; continually are they gathered together for war.

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

3 They have sharpened their tongues like a serpent; adders’ poison is under their lips. (Selah)

They have sharpened their tongues like a serpent. Viper’s 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 overthrow my goings.

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

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

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

7 O God the Lord, the strength of my salvation, thou hast covered 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 Grant not, O Lord, the desires of the wicked: further not his wicked device; lest they exalt themselves. (Selah)

LORD, don’t grant the desires of the wicked. Don’t let their evil plans succeed, or they will become proud. (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 who surround 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 thrown into the fire, into miry pits, from where they never rise.

11 Let not an evil speaker be established in the earth: evil shall hunt the violent man to overthrow him.

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 maintain the cause of the afflicted, and the right of the poor.

I know that the LORD will maintain the cause of the afflicted, and justice for the needy.

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

Surely the righteous will give thanks to your name. The upright will dwell in your presence.