Psalms 140

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

Unto the end, a psalm for David. Deliver me, O Lord, from the evil man: rescue me from the unjust man.

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

Who have devised iniquities in their hearts: all the day long they designed battles.

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

They have sharpened their tongues like a serpent: the venom of saps is under their lips.

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

Keep me, O Lord, from the hand of the wicked: and from unjust men deliver me. Who have proposed to supplant my steps.

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

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.

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

I said to the Lord: Thou art my God: hear, O Lord, the voice of my supplication.

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

O Lord, Lord, the strength of my salvation: thou hast overshadowed my head in the day of battle.

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

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.

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

The head of them compassing me about: the labour of their lips shall overwhelm them.

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

Burning coals shall fall upon them; thou wilt cast them down into the fire: in miseries they shall not be able to stand.

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

A man full of tongue shall not be established in the earth: evil shall catch the unjust man unto destruction.

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

I know that the Lord will do justice to the needy, and will revenge the poor.

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

But as for the just, they shall give glory to thy name: and the upright shall dwell with thy countenance.