Psalms 140

1 For the end, a Psalm of David. Rescue me, O Lord, from the evil man; deliver me from the unjust man.

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

2 Who have devised injustice in their hearts; all the day they prepared war.

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

3 They have sharpened their tongue as [the tongue] of a serpent; the poison of asps is under their lips. (Pause)

They have sharpened their tongues like a serpent. Viper’s poison is under their lips. (Selah)

4 Keep me, O Lord, from the hand of the sinner; rescue me from unjust men; 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 have stretched out ropes [for] snares for my feet; they set a stumbling block for me near the path. (Pause)

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 to the Lord, You are my God; listen, O Lord, to the voice of my supplication.

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

7 O Lord God, the strength of my salvation; you have screened 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 Deliver me not, O Lord, to the sinner, according to my desire: they have devised [mischief] against me; forsake me not, lest they should be exalted. (Pause)

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 them that compass me, the mischief of their lips shall cover them.

As for the head of those who surround me, let the mischief of their own lips cover them.

10 Coals of fire shall fall upon them on the earth; and you shall cast them down in afflictions: they shall not bear up [under them].

Let burning coals fall on them. Let them be thrown into the fire, into miry pits, from where they never rise.

11 A talkative man shall not prosper on the earth: evils shall hunt the unrighteous man to destruction.

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 poor, and the right of the needy ones.

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

13 Surely the righteous shall give thanks to your name: the upright shall dwell in your presence.

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