Psalms 140

1 For the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. Rescue me, O LORD, from evil men. Protect me from men of violence,

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

2 who devise evil in their hearts and stir up war all day long.

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

3 They sharpen their tongues like snakes; the venom of vipers is on their lips.

Their tongues wound like serpents; vipers' poison is on their lips. (Selah)

4 Guard me, O LORD, from the hands of the wicked. Keep me safe from men of violence who scheme to make me stumble.

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

5 The proud hide a snare for me; the cords of their net are spread along the path, and lures are set out for me.

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

6 I say to the LORD, “You are my God.” Hear, O LORD, my cry for help.

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

7 O GOD the Lord, the strength of my salvation, You shield my head in the day of battle.

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

8 Grant not, O LORD, the desires of the wicked; do not promote their evil plans, lest they be exalted.

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

9 May the heads of those who surround me be covered in the trouble their lips have caused.

Those who surround me raise their heads; let the mischief of their own lips cover them.

10 May burning coals fall on them; may they be thrown into the fire, into the miry pits, never to rise again.

Let burning coals fall on them; throw them into the fire, into bottomless pits, never more to rise.

11 May no slanderer be established in the land; may calamity hunt down the man of violence.

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

12 I know that the LORD upholds justice for the poor and defends the cause of the needy.

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

13 Surely the righteous will praise Your name; the upright will dwell in Your presence.

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