Psalms 140

1To the Overseer. --A Psalm of David. Deliver me, O Jehovah, from an evil man, From one of violence Thou keepest me.

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:

2Who have devised evils in the heart, All the day they assemble <FI>for<Fi> wars.

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.

3They sharpened their tongue as a serpent, Poison of an adder <FI>is<Fi> 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.

4Preserve me, Jehovah, from the hands of the wicked, From one of violence Thou keepest me, Who have devised to overthrow 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.

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 proud hid a snare for me--and cords, They spread a net by the side of the path, Snares they have set 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:

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 Jehovah, `My God <FI>art<Fi> Thou, Hear, Jehovah, the voice of my supplications.'

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 Jehovah, my Lord, strength of my salvation, Thou hast covered my head in the day of armour.

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.

8Grant not, O Jehovah, the desires of the wicked, His wicked device bring not forth, They are high. 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.

9The chief of my surrounders, The perverseness of their lips covereth them.

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.

10They cause to fall on themselves burning coals, Into fire He doth cast them, Into deep pits--they arise not.

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.

11A talkative man is not established in the earth, One of violence--evil hunteth to overflowing.

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 have known that Jehovah doth execute The judgment of the afflicted, The judgment of the needy.

12(not in this translation)

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

13Only--the righteous give thanks to Thy name, The upright do dwell with Thy presence!

13(not in this translation)

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