Psalms 140

1 For the chief musician. A psalm of David. Yahweh, rescue me from the wicked; preserve me from violent men.

Deliver me, O LORD, from the evil man: preserve me from the violent man;

2 They plan evil in their hearts; they cause battles every day.

Which imagine mischiefs in their heart; continually are they gathered together for war.

3 Their tongues wound like serpents; vipers' poison is on their lips. (Selah)

They have sharpened their tongues like a serpent; adders’ poison is under their lips. (Selah)

4 Keep me from the hands of the wicked, Yahweh; preserve me from violent men who plan to knock me over.

Keep me, O LORD, from the hands of the wicked; preserve me from the violent man; who have purposed to overthrow my goings.

5 The proud have set a trap for me; they have spread a net; they have set a snare for me. (Selah)

The proud have hid a snare for me, and cords; they have spread a net by the wayside; they have set gins for me. (Selah)

6 I said to Yahweh, “You are my God; listen to my cries for mercy.”

I said to the LORD, You are my God: hear the voice of my supplications, O LORD.

7 Yahweh, my Lord, you are powerfully able to save me; you shield my head in the day of battle.

O GOD the Lord, the strength of my salvation, you have covered my head in the day of battle.

8 Yahweh, do not grant the desires of the wicked; do not let their plots succeed. (Selah)

Grant not, O LORD, the desires of the wicked: further not his wicked device; lest they exalt themselves. (Selah)

9 Those who surround me raise their heads; let the mischief of their own lips cover them.

As for the head of those that compass me about, let the mischief of their own lips cover them.

10 Let burning coals fall on them; throw them into the fire, into bottomless pits, never more to rise.

Let burning coals fall on them: let them be cast into the fire; into deep pits, that they rise not up again.

11 May men of tongues not be made secure on the earth; may evil hunt down the violent man to strike him dead.

Let not an evil speaker be established in the earth: evil shall hunt the violent man to overthrow him.

12 I know that Yahweh will judge in favor of the afflicted, and that he will give justice to the needy.

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

13 Surely the righteous people will give thanks to your name; the upright people will live in your presence.

Surely the righteous shall give thanks to your name: the upright shall dwell in your presence.