< Psalms 140 >

1 Unto the end, a psalm for David. Deliver me, O Lord, from the evil man: rescue me from the unjust man.
For the chief musician. A psalm of David. Yahweh, rescue me from the wicked; preserve me from violent men.
2 Who have devised iniquities in their hearts: all the day long they designed battles.
They plan evil in their hearts; they cause battles every day.
3 They have sharpened their tongues like a serpent: the venom of saps is under their lips.
Their tongues wound like serpents; vipers' poison is on their lips. (Selah)
4 Keep me, O Lord, from the hand of the wicked: and from unjust men deliver me. Who have proposed to supplant 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 have hidden a net for me. And they have stretched out cords for a snare: they have laid for me a stumblingblock by the wayside.
The proud have set a trap for me; they have spread a net; they have set a snare for me. (Selah)
6 I said to the Lord: Thou art my God: hear, O Lord, the voice of my supplication.
I said to Yahweh, “You are my God; listen to my cries for mercy.”
7 O Lord, Lord, the strength of my salvation: thou hast overshadowed 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 Give me not up, O Lord, from my desire to the wicked: they have plotted against me; do not thou forsake me, lest they should triumph.
Yahweh, do not grant the desires of the wicked; do not let their plots succeed. (Selah)
9 The head of them compassing me about: the labour of their lips shall overwhelm them.
Those who surround me raise their heads; let the mischief of their own lips cover them.
10 Burning coals shall fall upon them; thou wilt cast them down into the fire: in miseries they shall not be able to stand.
Let burning coals fall on them; throw them into the fire, into bottomless pits, never more to rise.
11 A man full of tongue shall not be established in the earth: evil shall catch the unjust man unto destruction.
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 will do justice to the needy, and will revenge the poor.
I know that Yahweh will judge in favor of the afflicted, and that he will give justice to the needy.
13 But as for the just, they shall give glory to thy name: and the upright shall dwell with thy countenance.
Surely the righteous people will give thanks to your name; the upright people will live in your presence.

< Psalms 140 >