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;

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

2 Who think over evil [resolves] in their heart, [who] every day are gathered together for war.

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

3 They have sharpened their tongues like a serpent: the poison of the adder is under their lips. (Selah)

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

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.

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

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 procure right for the afflicted, [and] justice for 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 before thy presence.

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