Psalms 140

1 For the Chief Musician. A Psalm by David. Deliver me, Yahweh, from evil men. Preserve me from violent men:

“To the chief musician, a psalm of David.” Deliver me, O Lord, from an evil man; from a man of violence do thou keep me;

2 those who devise mischief in their hearts. They continually gather themselves together for war.

Who think over evil [resolves] in their heart, [who] every day are gathered together for war.

3 They have sharpened their tongues like a serpent. Viper’s poison is under their lips. (Selah)

They have sharpened their tongues like a serpent: the poison of the adder is under their lips. (Selah)

4 Yahweh, keep me from the hands of the wicked. Preserve me from the violent men who have determined to trip my feet.

Preserve me, O Lord, from the hands of the wicked, from the man of violence do thou keep me, who think of overthrowing my steps.

5 The proud have hidden a snare for me, they have spread the cords of a net by the path. They have set traps for me. (Selah)

The proud have hidden a snare for me, and cords; they have spread a net by the side of [my] track; traps have they set for me. (Selah)

6 I said to Yahweh, “You are my God.” Listen to the cry of my petitions, Yahweh.

I have said unto the Lord, Thou art my God: give ear, O Lord, to the voice of my supplications.

7 Yahweh, the Lord, the strength of my salvation, you have covered my head in the day of battle.

O thou Eternal Lord, the strength of my salvation, thou hast covered my head on the day of battle.

8 Yahweh, don’t grant the desires of the wicked. Don’t let their evil plans succeed, or they will become proud. (Selah)

Grant not, O Lord, the longings of the wicked; suffer not his wicked device to succeed: lest they exalt themselves. (Selah)

9 As for the head of those who surround me, let the mischief of their own lips cover them.

[As for] the heads of those that encompass me about, let the mischief of their own lips cover them.

10 Let burning coals fall on them. Let them be thrown into the fire, into miry pits, from where they never rise.

Let burning coals be cast upon them: let them be thrown into the fire; into deep pits, that they rise not up again.

11 An evil speaker won’t be established in the earth. Evil will hunt the violent man to overthrow him.

Let not the man of an [evil] tongue be established on the earth: may evil hunt down the violent man to his downfall.

12 I know that Yahweh will maintain the cause of the afflicted, and justice for the needy.

I know that the Lord will procure right for the afflicted, [and] justice for the needy.

13 Surely the righteous will give thanks to your name. The upright will dwell in your presence.

Surely the righteous shall give thanks unto thy name: the upright shall dwell before thy presence.