Psalms 140

1 Deliver me, O Jehovah, from the evil man; Preserve me from the violent man:

1I have cried to thee, O Lord, hear me: hearken to my voice, when I cry to thee.

1 O Lord, take me out of the power of the evil man; keep me safe from the violent man:

2Who devise mischiefs in their heart; Continually do they gather themselves together for war.

2Let my prayer be directed as incense in thy sight; the lifting up of my hands, as evening sacrifice.

2For their hearts are full of evil designs; and they are ever making ready causes of war.

3They have sharpened their tongue like a serpent; Adders’ poison is under their lips. [Selah

3Set a watch, O Lord, before my mouth: and a door round about my lips.

3Their tongues are sharp like the tongue of a snake; the poison of snakes is under their lips. (Selah.)

4Keep me, O Jehovah, from the hands of the wicked; Preserve me from the violent man: Who have purposed to thrust aside my steps.

4Incline not my heart to evil words; to make excuses in sins. With men that work iniquity: and I will not communicate with the choicest of them.

4O Lord, take me out of the hands of sinners; keep me safe from the violent man: for they are designing my downfall.

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

5The just man shall correct me in mercy, and shall reprove me: but let not the oil of the sinner fatten my head. For my prayer shall still be against the things with which they are well pleased:

5The men of pride have put secret cords for my feet; stretching nets in my way, so that they may take me with their tricks. (Selah.)

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

6Their judges falling upon the rock have been swallowed up. They shall hear my words, for they have prevailed:

6I have said to the Lord, You are my God: give ear, O Lord, to the voice of my prayer.

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

7As when the thickness of the earth is broken up upon the ground: Our bones are scattered by the side of hell.

7O Lord God, the strength of my salvation, you have been a cover over my head in the day of the fight.

8Grant not, O Jehovah, the desires of the wicked; Further not his evil device, lest they exalt themselves. [Selah

8But to thee, O Lord, Lord, are my eyes: in thee have I put my trust, take not away my soul.

8O Lord, give not the wrongdoer his desire; give him no help in his evil designs, or he may be uplifted in pride. (Selah.)

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

9Keep me from the snare, which they have laid for me, and from the stumblingblocks of them that work iniquity.

9As for those who come round me, let their heads be covered by the evil of their lips.

10Let burning coals fall upon them: Let them be cast into the fire, Into deep pits, whence they shall not rise.

10The wicked shall fall in his net: I am alone until I pass.

10Let burning flames come down on them: let them be put into the fire, and into deep waters, so that they may not get up again.

11An evil speaker shall not be established in the earth: Evil shall hunt the violent man to overthrow him.

11(not in this translation)

11Let not a man of evil tongue be safe on earth: let destruction overtake the violent man with blow on blow.

12I know that Jehovah will maintain the cause of the afflicted, And justice for the needy.

12(not in this translation)

12I am certain that the Lord will take care of the cause of the poor, and of the rights of those who are troubled.

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

13(not in this translation)

13Truly, the upright will give praise to your name: the holy will have a place in your house.