Psalms 140

1 “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;

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

2 Who think over evil [resolves] in their heart, [who] every day are 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: the poison of the adder is under their lips. (Selah)

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

4 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.

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 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)

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

I said to the Lord: You are my God. O Lord, heed the voice of my supplication.

7 O thou Eternal Lord, the strength of my salvation, thou hast covered my head on 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 longings of the wicked; suffer not his wicked device to succeed: 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 heads of those that encompass 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 be cast upon them: let them be thrown 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 the man of an [evil] tongue be established on the earth: may evil hunt down the violent man to his downfall.

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

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 before thy presence.

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