Psalms 140

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

“For the leader of the music. A psalm of David.” Deliver me, O LORD! from the evil man, Save me from the man of violence,

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

Who meditate mischief in their heart, And daily stir up war!

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

They sharpen their tongues like a serpent; The poison of the adder is under their lips. (Pause)

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

Defend me, O LORD! from the hands of the wicked, Preserve me from the man of violence, Who have purposed to cause my fall! (Pause)

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 snares and cords for me; They have spread a net by the way-side; They have set traps for me.

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

I say to Jehovah, Thou art my God; Hear, O Jehovah! 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.

The Lord Jehovah is my saving strength: Thou shelterest my head in the day of battle!

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

Grant not, O LORD! the desires of the wicked; Let not their devices prosper; Let them not exalt themselves!

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

As for the heads of those who encompass me, Let the mischief of their own lips cover them!

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

Let burning coals fall upon them; May they be cast into the fire, And into deep waters from which they shall not arise!

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

The slanderer shall not be established upon the earth; Evil shall pursue the violent man to 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 maintain the cause of the afflicted, And the right of the poor.

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

Yea, the righteous shall praise thy name; The upright shall dwell in thy presence!