Psalms 140

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

To the chief music-maker. A Psalm. Of David. O Lord, take me out of the power of the evil man; keep me safe from the violent man:

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

For their hearts are full of evil designs; and they are ever making ready causes of war.

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

Their tongues are sharp like the tongue of a snake; the poison of snakes is under their lips. (Selah)

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

O Lord, take me out of the hands of sinners; keep me safe from the violent man: for they are designing my downfall.

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 men of pride have put secret cords for my feet; stretching nets in my way, so that they may take me with their tricks. (Selah)

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

I have said to the Lord, You are my God: give ear, O Lord, to the voice of my prayer.

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

O Lord God, the strength of my salvation, you have been a cover over my head in the day of the fight.

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

O Lord, give not the wrongdoer his desire; give him no help in his evil designs, or he may be uplifted in pride. (Selah)

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

As for those who come round me, let their heads be covered by the evil of their lips.

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

Let burning flames come down on them: let them be put into the fire, and into deep waters, so that they may not get up again.

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

Let not a man of evil tongue be safe on earth: let destruction overtake the violent man with blow on blow.

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

I am certain that the Lord will take care of the cause of the poor, and of the rights of those who are troubled.

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

Truly, the upright will give praise to your name: the holy will have a place in your house.