Psalms 140

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

To the leader. A Psalm of David. Rescue me, Lord, from evil people; from the violent guard me

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

from those who plot evil in their heart, and stir up war continually:

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

who make their tongue as sharp as a serpent’s, and under whose lips is the poison of adders. (Selah)

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

Preserve me, O Lord, from the hands of the wicked, from the violent guard me from those who are plotting to trip up my feet.

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 trap for me, cords they have spread as a net for my feet: snares they have set at the side of my track. (Selah)

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

I have said to the Lord, “My God are you; attend, Lord, to my loud plea.

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

O Lord my Lord, my savior mighty, you did cover 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; and what they have purposed, promote you not.” (Selah)

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

Let them not lift up their heads against me. May the mischief they prate bring themselves to destruction,

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

may he rain upon them coals of fire, may he strike them down swiftly, to rise no more,

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

no place in the land may there be for the slanderer: may the violent be hunted from sorrow to sorrow.

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 right by the weak, and will execute justice for those who are needy.

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

Surely the righteous shall praise your name, and they who are upright shall live in your presence.