1 To the chief music-maker. A Psalm. Of David.

2 \140:1\O Lord, take me out of the power of the evil man; keep me safe from the violent man:

3 \140:2\For their hearts are full of evil designs; and they are ever making ready causes of war.

4 \140:3\Their tongues are sharp like the tongue of a snake; the poison of snakes is under their lips. (Selah.)

5 \140:4\O Lord, take me out of the hands of sinners; keep me safe from the violent man: for they are designing my downfall.

6 \140:5\The 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.)

7 \140:6\I have said to the Lord, You are my God: give ear, O Lord, to the voice of my prayer.

8 \140:7\O Lord God, the strength of my salvation, you have been a cover over my head in the day of the fight.

9 \140:8\O Lord, give not the wrongdoer his desire; give him no help in his evil designs, or he may be uplifted in pride. (Selah.)

10 \140:9\As for those who come round me, let their heads be covered by the evil of their lips.

11 \140:10\Let 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.

12 \140:11\Let not a man of evil tongue be safe on earth: let destruction overtake the violent man with blow on blow.

13 \140:12\I am certain that the Lord will take care of the cause of the poor, and of the rights of those who are troubled.

14 \140:13\Truly, the upright will give praise to your name: the holy will have a place in your house.

1 Deliver me, O Jehovah, from the evil man;

Preserve me from the violent man:

2 Who devise mischiefs in their heart;

Continually do they gather themselves together for war.

3 They have sharpened their tongue like a serpent;

Adders’ poison is under their lips. [Selah

4 Keep me, O Jehovah, from the hands of the wicked;

Preserve me from the violent man:

Who have purposed to thrust aside my steps.

5 The proud have hid a snare for me, and cords;

They have spread a net by the wayside;

They have set gins for me. [Selah

6 I said unto Jehovah, Thou art my God:

Give ear unto the voice of my supplications, O Jehovah.

7 O Jehovah the Lord, the strength of my salvation,

Thou hast covered my head in the day of battle.

8 Grant not, O Jehovah, the desires of the wicked;

Further not his evil device, lest they exalt themselves. [Selah

9 As for the head of those that compass me about,

Let the mischief of their own lips cover them.

10 Let burning coals fall upon them:

Let them be cast into the fire,

Into deep pits, whence they shall not rise.

11 An evil speaker shall not be established in the earth:

Evil shall hunt the violent man to overthrow him.

12 I know that Jehovah will maintain the cause of the afflicted,

And justice for the needy.

13 Surely the righteous shall give thanks unto thy name:

The upright shall dwell in thy presence.