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 by David. Deliver me, LORD, from evil men. Preserve me from violent men:

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

those who devise mischief in their hearts. They continually gather themselves 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. Viper’s poison 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.

LORD, keep me from the hands of the wicked. Preserve me from the violent men who have determined to trip my feet.

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, they have spread the cords of a net by the path. They have set traps for me. (Selah)

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

I said to the LORD, “You are my God.” Listen to the cry of my petitions, LORD.

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

LORD, the Lord, the strength of my salvation, you have covered 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)

LORD, don’t grant the desires of the wicked. Don’t let their evil plans succeed, or they will become proud. (Selah)

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

As for the head of those who surround me, 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. Let them be thrown into the fire, into miry pits, from where they never rise.

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

An evil speaker won’t be established in the earth. Evil will hunt the violent man to overthrow him.

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

I know that the LORD will maintain the cause of 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 will give thanks to your name. The upright will dwell in your presence.