Psalms 140

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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.)

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:

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

11(not in this translation)

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

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

12(not in this translation)

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

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

13(not in this translation)

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