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For the Chief Musician. A Psalm by David.

140 Deliver me, Yahweh, from the evil man.
    Preserve me from the violent man:
those who devise mischief in their hearts.
    They continually gather themselves together for war.
They have sharpened their tongues like a serpent.
    Viper’s poison is under their lips. Selah.
Yahweh, keep me from the hands of the wicked.
    Preserve me from the violent men who have determined to trip my feet.
The proud have hidden a snare for me,
    they have spread the cords of a net by the path.
    They have set traps for me. Selah.
I said to Yahweh, “You are my God.”
    Listen to the cry of my petitions, Yahweh.
Yahweh, the Lord, the strength of my salvation,
    you have covered my head in the day of battle.
Yahweh, don’t grant the desires of the wicked.
    Don’t let their evil plans succeed, or they will become proud. Selah.
As for the head of those who surround me,
    let the mischief of their own lips cover them.
10 Let burning coals fall on them.
    Let them be thrown into the fire,
    into miry pits, from where they never rise.
11 An evil speaker won’t be established in the earth.
    Evil will hunt the violent man to overthrow him.
12 I know that Yahweh will maintain the cause of the afflicted,
    and justice for the needy.
13 Surely the righteous will give thanks to your name.
    The upright will dwell in your presence.

Psalm 140

For the music leader. A psalm of David.

140 Rescue me from evil people, Lord!
    Guard me from violent people
    who plot evil things in their hearts,
    who pick fights every single day!
They sharpen their tongues like a snake’s;
    spider poison[a] is on their lips. Selah

Protect me from the power of the wicked, Lord!
    Guard me from violent people
        who plot to trip me up!
Arrogant people have laid a trap for me with ropes.
    They’ve spread out a net alongside the road.
    They’ve set snares for me. Selah

I tell the Lord, “You are my God!
    Listen to my request for mercy, Lord!”
My Lord God, my strong saving help—
    you’ve protected my head on the day of battle.
Lord, don’t give the wicked what they want!
    Don’t allow their plans to succeed,
    or they’ll exalt themselves even more![b] Selah

Let the heads of the people surrounding me
    be covered with the trouble their own lips caused![c]
10 Let burning coals fall on them!
    Let them fall into deep pits and never get out again!
11 Let no slanderer be safe in the land.
    Let calamity hunt down violent people—and quickly![d]

12 I know that the Lord will take up the case of the poor
    and will do what is right for the needy.
13 Yes, the righteous will give thanks to your name,
    and those who do right will live in your presence.

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 140:3 LXX snake poison
  2. Psalm 140:8 Heb uncertain
  3. Psalm 140:9 Heb uncertain
  4. Psalm 140:11 Heb uncertain