Psalms 140

1 “For the leader of the music. A psalm of David.” Deliver me, O LORD! from the evil man, Save me from the man of violence,

For the music director. A psalm of David. Lord, please save me from those who do evil; protect me especially from those who are violent!

2 Who meditate mischief in their heart, And daily stir up war!

Their minds are busy plotting evil things, stirring up trouble all day long.

3 They sharpen their tongues like a serpent; The poison of the adder is under their lips. (Pause)

Their tongues are as sharp as those of snakes; viper's venom is on their lips. (Selah)

4 Defend me, O LORD! from the hands of the wicked, Preserve me from the man of violence, Who have purposed to cause my fall! (Pause)

Lord, please keep me from falling into the hands of the wicked; protect me especially from those who are violent, who are plotting my downfall.

5 The proud have hidden snares and cords for me; They have spread a net by the way-side; They have set traps for me.

Proud people have hidden a trap for me—they have strung out a net on the path, they have set snares to catch me. (Selah)

6 I say to Jehovah, Thou art my God; Hear, O Jehovah! the voice of my supplication!

I told the Lord, “You are my God! Lord, please listen to my cries for help!”

7 The Lord Jehovah is my saving strength: Thou shelterest my head in the day of battle!

Lord God, my powerful Savior, you covered my head like a helmet on the day of battle.

8 Grant not, O LORD! the desires of the wicked; Let not their devices prosper; Let them not exalt themselves!

God, don't allow the wicked to get what they want—don't let them be successful in what they plan so they don't become proud. (Selah)

9 As for the heads of those who encompass me, Let the mischief of their own lips cover them!

May the harm spoken against me by those who surround me fall back on them,

10 Let burning coals fall upon them; May they be cast into the fire, And into deep waters from which they shall not arise!

Let burning coals rain down on them! Let them be thrown into the fire, or into bottomless pits, never to rise again.

11 The slanderer shall not be established upon the earth; Evil shall pursue the violent man to destruction.

Don't let people who slander others live in our land. May disaster strike down violent people.

12 I know that the LORD will maintain the cause of the afflicted, And the right of the poor.

Yet I know the Lord defends the rights of those who are persecuted, and gives justice to the poor.

13 Yea, the righteous shall praise thy name; The upright shall dwell in thy presence!

Truly those who live right are thankful for the kind of person you are, and those who are honest will live in your presence.