Psalms 140

1 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!

To the Chief Musician. A Melody of David. Rescue me, O Yahweh, from the men of mischief, From the men of violence, wilt thou preserve me:

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

Who have devised mischiefs in their [heart], Every day, do they stir up wars:

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

They have sharpened their tongue like a serpent, —The poison of the asp, is under their lips. (Selah)

4 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.

Keep me, O Yahweh, from the hands of the lawless one, From the man of violence, wilt thou preserve me, —who have devised, to thrust at my steps:

5 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)

The proud have hidden a snare for me, and, cords, have they spread as a net beside the track, Snares, have they set for me. (Selah)

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

I have said unto Yahweh, My GOD, thou art! Give ear, O Yahweh, unto the voice of my supplications.

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

O Yahweh, My Lord, my saving strength, thou hast screened my head in the day of battle.

8 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)

Do not grant, O Yahweh, the desires of the lawless one, his device, do not promote, They would exalt themselves. (Selah)

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

As for the head of them who surround me, Let the mischief of their lips cover them:

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

May there be dropped on them live coals, —Into the fire, may they be let fall, into watery pits [from which] they shall not rise.

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

As for the slanderer, let him not be established in the earth, —As for the man of wrongful violence, let misfortune hunt him with thrust upon thrust.

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

I know that Yahweh will execute, the right of the oppressed one, the vindication of the needy.

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

Surely, the righteous, shall give thanks to thy Name, the upright shall dwell in thy presence.