Psalms, 140

1. [For the choirmaster Psalm Of David] Rescue me, Yahweh, from evil men, protect me from violent men,

1. <To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David.> Deliver me, O LORD, from the evil man: preserve me from the violent man;

2. whose heart is bent on malice, day after day they harbour strife;

2. Which imagine mischiefs in [their] heart; continually are they gathered together [for] war.

3. their tongues as barbed as a serpent's, viper's venom behind their lips.Pause

3. They have sharpened their tongues like a serpent; adders' poison [is] under their lips. Selah.

4. Keep me, Yahweh, from the clutches of the wicked, protect me from violent men, who are bent on making me stumble,laying out snares where I walk,

4. Keep me, O LORD, from the hands of the wicked; preserve me from the violent man; who have purposed to overthrow my goings.

5. in their arrogance hiding pitfall and nooseto trap me as I pass.Pause

5. The proud have hid a snare for me, and cords; they have spread a net by the wayside; they have set gins for me. Selah.

6. I said to Yahweh, 'You are my God.' Listen, Yahweh, to the sound of my prayer.

6. I said unto the LORD, Thou [art] my God: hear the voice of my supplications, O LORD.

7. Yahweh my Lord, my saving strength, you shield my head when battle comes.

7. O GOD the Lord, the strength of my salvation, thou hast covered my head in the day of battle.

8. Yahweh, do not grant the wicked their wishes, do not let their plots succeed.Pause Do not let my attackers

8. Grant not, O LORD, the desires of the wicked: further not his wicked device; [lest] they exalt themselves. Selah.

9. prevail, but let them be overwhelmed by their own malice.

9. [As for] the head of those that compass me about, let the mischief of their own lips cover them.

10. May red-hot embers rain down on them, may they be flung into the mire once and for all.

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

11. May the slanderer find no rest anywhere, may evil hunt down violent men implacably.

11. Let not an evil speaker be established in the earth: evil shall hunt the violent man to overthrow [him].

12. I know that Yahweh will give judgement for the wretched, justice for the needy.

12. I know that the LORD will maintain the cause of the afflicted, [and] the right of the poor.

13. The upright shall praise your name, the honest dwell in your presence.

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