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;

For the chief musician. A psalm of David. Yahweh, rescue me from the wicked; preserve me from violent men.

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

They plan evil in their hearts; they cause battles every day.

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

Their tongues wound like serpents; vipers' poison is on 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 from the hands of the wicked, Yahweh; preserve me from violent men who plan to knock me over.

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 set a trap for me; they have spread a net; they have set a snare 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 said to Yahweh, “You are my God; listen to my cries for mercy.”

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

Yahweh, my Lord, you are powerfully able to save me; you shield 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)

Yahweh, do not grant the desires of the wicked; do not let their plots succeed. (Selah)

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

Those who surround me raise their heads; 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; throw them into the fire, into bottomless pits, never more to rise.

11 Let not the man of an [evil] tongue be established on the earth: may evil hunt down the violent man to his downfall.

May men of tongues not be made secure on the earth; may evil hunt down the violent man to strike him dead.

12 I know that the Lord will procure right for the afflicted, [and] justice for the needy.

I know that Yahweh will judge in favor of the afflicted, and that he will give justice to the needy.

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

Surely the righteous people will give thanks to your name; the upright people will live in your presence.