Psalms 140

1 TO THE OVERSEER. A PSALM OF DAVID. Deliver me, O YHWH, from an evil man, Keep me from one of violence.

For the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. Rescue me, O LORD, from evil men. Protect me from men of violence,

2 Who have devised evils in the heart, All the day they assemble [for] wars.

who devise evil in their hearts and stir up war all day long.

3 They sharpened their tongue as a serpent, Poison of a viper [is] under their lips. (Selah)

They sharpen their tongues like snakes; the venom of vipers is on their lips.

4 Preserve me, YHWH, from the hands of the wicked, Keep me from one of violence, Who have devised to overthrow my steps.

Guard me, O LORD, from the hands of the wicked. Keep me safe from men of violence who scheme to make me stumble.

5 The proud hid a snare for me—and cords, They spread a net by the side of the path, They have set snares for me. (Selah)

The proud hide a snare for me; the cords of their net are spread along the path, and lures are set out for me.

6 I have said to YHWH, “You [are] my God, Hear, YHWH, the voice of my supplications.”

I say to the LORD, “You are my God.” Hear, O LORD, my cry for help.

7 O YHWH, my Lord, strength of my salvation, You have covered my head in the day of armor.

O GOD the Lord, the strength of my salvation, You shield my head in the day of battle.

8 Do not grant, O YHWH, the desires of the wicked, Do not bring forth his wicked scheme, They are high. (Selah)

Grant not, O LORD, the desires of the wicked; do not promote their evil plans, lest they be exalted.

9 The chief of my surrounders, The perverseness of their lips covers them.

May the heads of those who surround me be covered in the trouble their lips have caused.

10 They cause burning coals to fall on themselves, He casts them into fire, Into deep pits—they do not arise.

May burning coals fall on them; may they be thrown into the fire, into the miry pits, never to rise again.

11 A talkative man is not established in the earth, One of violence—evil hunts to overflowing.

May no slanderer be established in the land; may calamity hunt down the man of violence.

12 I have known that YHWH executes The judgment of the afflicted, The judgment of the needy.

I know that the LORD upholds justice for the poor and defends the cause of the needy.

13 Surely the righteous give thanks to Your Name, The upright dwell with Your presence!

Surely the righteous will praise Your name; the upright will dwell in Your presence.