Zaburi 140

1 Yahwe, uniokoe dhidi ya waovu; unikinge dhidi ya watu wenye vurugu.

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

2 Wao wanapanga uovu mioyoni mwao; wanasababisha mapigano kila siku.

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

3 Ndimi zao zinajeruhi kama nyoka; sumu ya fira imo midomoni mwao. (Selah)

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

4 Ee Yahwe, unilinde dhidi ya mikono ya waovu; unikinge na vurugu za watu wanaopanga kuniangusha.

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

5 Wenye majivuno wameweka mtego kwa ajili yangu; wameeneza nyavu; wameweka kitanzi kwa ajili yangu. (Selah)

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)

6 Nilimwambia Yahwe, “Wewe ni Mungu wangu; usikie kilio changu unihurumie.”

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

7 Ee Yahwe, Bwana wangu, wewe ni mwenye nguvu uwezaye kuniokoa; hunifunika ngao kichwa changu siku ya vita.

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

8 Ee Yahwe, usiyatimize matakwa ya waovu; usiruhusu njama zao kufanikiwa. (Selah)

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

9 Wale wanao nizunguka huinua vichwa vyao; madhara ya midomo yao wenyewe na yawafunike.

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

10 Makaa ya moto na yawaangukie; uwatupe motoni, kwenye shimo refu, wasiweze kuinuka tena.

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

11 Watu wenye ndimi na wasifanywe salama juu ya nchi; na uovu umuwinde kumpiga mtu mwenye vurugu mpaka afe.

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

12 Ninajua kuwa Yahwe atahukumu kwa haki walioteswa, na kuwa atawapa haki wahitaji.

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

13 Hakika watu wenye haki watalishukuru jina lako; watu wanyoofu wataishi uweponi mwako.

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