Psalms 140

1 To the Chief Musician. A Melody of David. Rescue me, O Yahweh, from the men of mischief, From the men of violence, wilt thou preserve me:

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

2 Who have devised mischiefs in their [heart], Every day, do they stir up wars:

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

3 They have sharpened their tongue like a serpent, —The poison of the asp, is under their lips. (Selah)

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

4 Keep me, O Yahweh, from the hands of the lawless one, From the man of violence, wilt thou preserve me, —who have devised, to thrust at 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 have hidden a snare for me, and, cords, have they spread as a net beside the track, Snares, have they set 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 unto Yahweh, My GOD, thou art! Give ear, O Yahweh, unto the voice of my supplications.

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

7 O Yahweh, My Lord, my saving strength, thou hast screened my head in the day of battle.

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

8 Do not grant, O Yahweh, the desires of the lawless one, his device, do not promote, They would exalt themselves. (Selah)

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

9 As for the head of them who surround me, Let the mischief of their lips cover them:

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

10 May there be dropped on them live coals, —Into the fire, may they be let fall, into watery pits [from which] they shall not rise.

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

11 As for the slanderer, let him not be established in the earth, —As for the man of wrongful violence, let misfortune hunt him with thrust upon thrust.

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

12 I know that Yahweh will execute, the right of the oppressed one, the vindication of the needy.

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

13 Surely, the righteous, shall give thanks to thy Name, the upright shall dwell in thy presence.

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