Psalms 140

1 To the Overseer. — A Psalm of David. Deliver me, O Jehovah, from an evil man, From one of violence Thou keepest me.

“To the chief musician, a psalm of David.” Deliver me, O Lord, from an evil man; from a man of violence do thou keep me;

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

Who think over evil [resolves] in their heart, [who] every day are gathered together for war.

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

They have sharpened their tongues like a serpent: the poison of the adder is under their lips. (Selah)

4 Preserve me, Jehovah, from the hands of the wicked, From one of violence Thou keepest me, Who have devised to overthrow my steps.

Preserve me, O Lord, from the hands of the wicked, from the man of violence do thou keep me, who think of overthrowing my steps.

5 The proud hid a snare for me — and cords, They spread a net by the side of the path, Snares they have set for me. (Selah)

The proud have hidden a snare for me, and cords; they have spread a net by the side of [my] track; traps have they set for me. (Selah)

6 I have said to Jehovah, 'My God [art] Thou, Hear, Jehovah, the voice of my supplications.'

I have said unto the Lord, Thou art my God: give ear, O Lord, to the voice of my supplications.

7 O Jehovah, my Lord, strength of my salvation, Thou hast covered my head in the day of armour.

O thou Eternal Lord, the strength of my salvation, thou hast covered my head on the day of battle.

8 Grant not, O Jehovah, the desires of the wicked, His wicked device bring not forth, They are high. (Selah)

Grant not, O Lord, the longings of the wicked; suffer not his wicked device to succeed: lest they exalt themselves. (Selah)

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

[As for] the heads of those that encompass me about, let the mischief of their own lips cover them.

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

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

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

Let not the man of an [evil] tongue be established on the earth: may evil hunt down the violent man to his downfall.

12 I have known that Jehovah doth execute The judgment of the afflicted, The judgment of the needy.

I know that the Lord will procure right for the afflicted, [and] justice for the needy.

13 Only — the righteous give thanks to Thy name, The upright do dwell with Thy presence!

Surely the righteous shall give thanks unto thy name: the upright shall dwell before thy presence.