Psalmorum 140

1 Psalmus David, in finem. Eripe me Domine ab homine malo: a viro iniquo eripe me.

For the music director. A psalm of David. Lord, please save me from those who do evil; protect me especially from those who are violent!

2 Qui cogitaverunt iniquitates in corde: tota die constituebant praelia.

Their minds are busy plotting evil things, stirring up trouble all day long.

3 Acuerunt linguas suas sicut serpentes: venenum aspidum sub labiis eorum.

Their tongues are as sharp as those of snakes; viper's venom is on their lips. (Selah)

4 Custodi me Domine de manu peccatoris: et ab hominibus iniquis eripe me. Qui cogitaverunt supplantare gressus meos:

Lord, please keep me from falling into the hands of the wicked; protect me especially from those who are violent, who are plotting my downfall.

5 absconderunt superbi laqueum mihi: Et funes extenderunt in laqueum: iuxta iter scandalum posuerunt mihi.

Proud people have hidden a trap for me—they have strung out a net on the path, they have set snares to catch me. (Selah)

6 Dixi Domino: Deus meus es tu: exaudi Domine vocem deprecationis meae.

I told the Lord, “You are my God! Lord, please listen to my cries for help!”

7 Domine, Domine virtus salutis meae: obumbrasti super caput meum in die belli:

Lord God, my powerful Savior, you covered my head like a helmet on the day of battle.

8 Ne tradas me Domine a desiderio meo peccatori: cogitaverunt contra me, ne derelinquas me, ne forte exaltentur.

God, don't allow the wicked to get what they want—don't let them be successful in what they plan so they don't become proud. (Selah)

9 Caput circuitus eorum: labor labiorum ipsorum operiet eos.

May the harm spoken against me by those who surround me fall back on them,

10 Cadent super eos carbones, in ignem deiicies eos: in miseriis non subsistent.

Let burning coals rain down on them! Let them be thrown into the fire, or into bottomless pits, never to rise again.

11 Vir linguosus non dirigetur in terra: virum iniustum mala capient in interitu.

Don't let people who slander others live in our land. May disaster strike down violent people.

12 Cognovi quia faciet Dominus iudicium inopis: et vindictam pauperum.

Yet I know the Lord defends the rights of those who are persecuted, and gives justice to the poor.

13 Verumtamen iusti confitebuntur nomini tuo: et habitabunt recti cum vultu tuo.

Truly those who live right are thankful for the kind of person you are, and those who are honest will live in your presence.