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,
To the leader. A Psalm of David. Rescue me, Lord, from evil people; from the violent guard me
2 Who meditate mischief in their heart, And daily stir up war!
from those who plot evil in their heart, and stir up war continually:
3 They sharpen their tongues like a serpent; The poison of the adder is under their lips. (Pause)
who make their tongue as sharp as a serpent’s, and under whose lips is the poison of adders. (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)
Preserve me, O Lord, from the hands of the wicked, from the violent guard me from those who are plotting to trip up my feet.
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.
The proud have hidden a trap for me, cords they have spread as a net for my feet: snares they have set at the side of my track. (Selah)
6 I say to Jehovah, Thou art my God; Hear, O Jehovah! the voice of my supplication!
I have said to the Lord, “My God are you; attend, Lord, to my loud plea.
7 The Lord Jehovah is my saving strength: Thou shelterest my head in the day of battle!
O Lord my Lord, my savior mighty, you did cover my head in the day of battle.
8 Grant not, O LORD! the desires of the wicked; Let not their devices prosper; Let them not exalt themselves!
Grant not, O Lord, the desires of the wicked; and what they have purposed, promote you not.” (Selah)
9 As for the heads of those who encompass me, Let the mischief of their own lips cover them!
Let them not lift up their heads against me. May the mischief they prate bring themselves to destruction,
10 Let burning coals fall upon them; May they be cast into the fire, And into deep waters from which they shall not arise!
may he rain upon them coals of fire, may he strike them down swiftly, to rise no more,
11 The slanderer shall not be established upon the earth; Evil shall pursue the violent man to destruction.
no place in the land may there be for the slanderer: may the violent be hunted from sorrow to sorrow.
12 I know that the LORD will maintain the cause of the afflicted, And the right of the poor.
I know that the Lord will do right by the weak, and will execute justice for those who are needy.
13 Yea, the righteous shall praise thy name; The upright shall dwell in thy presence!
Surely the righteous shall praise your name, and they who are upright shall live in your presence.
