Psalms 140

1 To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. Deliver me, O LORD, from the evil man: preserve me from the violent man;

Unto the end. A Psalm of David. Rescue me, O Lord, from the evil man. Rescue me from the iniquitous leader.

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

Those who have devised iniquities in their hearts: all day long they constructed conflicts.

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

They have sharpened their tongues like a serpent. The venom of asps is under their lips.

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

Preserve me, O Lord, from the hand of the sinner, and rescue me from men of iniquity. They have decided to supplant 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 arrogant have hidden a snare for me. And they have stretched out cords for a snare. They have placed a stumbling block for me near the road.

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. O Lord, heed the voice of my supplication.

7 O GOD the Lord, the strength of my salvation, thou hast covered my head in the day of battle.

Lord, O Lord, the strength of my salvation: you have overshadowed my head in the day of war.

8 Grant not, O LORD, the desires of the wicked: further not his wicked device; [lest] they exalt themselves. (Selah)

O Lord, do not hand me over to the sinner by my desire. They have plotted against me. Do not abandon me, lest they should triumph.

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

The head of those who encompass me, the labor of their lips, will overwhelm them.

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

Burning coals will fall upon them. You will cast them down into the fire, into miseries that they will not be able to withstand.

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

A talkative man will not be guided aright upon the earth. Evils will drag the unjust man unto utter ruin.

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 accomplish justice for the needy and vindication for the poor.

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

So then, truly, the just will confess your name, and the upright will dwell with your countenance.