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.

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

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

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

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

Their tongues wound like serpents; vipers' poison is on 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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Those who surround me raise their heads; 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 fall on them; throw them into the fire, into bottomless pits, never more to rise.

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

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

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

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

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

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