To the chief Musician. A Psalm of David.

140 Free me, O Jehovah, from the evil man; preserve me from the violent man:

² Who devise mischiefs in [their] heart; every day are they banded together for war.

³ They sharpen their tongues like a serpent; adders' poison is under their lips. Selah.

⁴ Keep me, O Jehovah, from the hands of the wicked [man], preserve me from the violent man, who devise to overthrow my steps.

⁵ The proud have hidden a snare for me, and cords; they have spread a net by the way-side; they have set traps for me. Selah.

⁶ I have said unto Jehovah, Thou art my God: give ear, O Jehovah, to the voice of my supplications.

⁷ Jehovah, the Lord, is the strength of my salvation: thou hast covered my head in the day of battle.

⁸ Grant not, O Jehovah, the desire of the wicked; further not his device: they would exalt themselves. Selah.

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

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

¹¹ Let not the man of [evil] tongue be established in the earth: evil shall hunt the man of violence to [his] ruin.

¹² I know that Jehovah will maintain the cause of the afflicted one, the right of the needy.

¹³ Yea, the righteous shall give thanks unto thy name; the upright shall dwell in thy presence.