140:1  DELIVER ME, O Lord, from evil men; preserve me from violent men;

140:2  They devise mischiefs in their heart; continually they gather together {and} stir up wars.

140:3  They sharpen their tongues like a serpent's; adders' poison is under their lips. Selah [pause, and calmly think of that]!

140:4  Keep me, O Lord, from the hands of the wicked; preserve me from the violent men who have purposed to thrust aside my steps.

140:5  The proud have hidden a snare for me; they have spread cords as a net by the wayside, they have set traps for me. Selah [pause, and calmly think of that]!

140:6  I said to the Lord, You are my God; give ear to the voice of my supplications, O Lord.

140:7  O God the Lord, the Strength of my salvation, You have covered my head in the day of battle.

140:8  Grant not, O Lord, the desires of the wicked; further not their wicked plot {and} device, lest they exalt themselves. Selah [pause, and calmly think of that]!

140:9  Those who are fencing me in raise their heads; may the mischief of their own lips {and} the very things they desire for me come upon them.

140:10  Let burning coals fall upon them; let them be cast into the fire, into floods of water {or} deep water pits, from which they shall not rise.

140:11  Let not a man of slanderous tongue be established in the earth; let evil hunt the violent man to overthrow him [let calamity follow his evildoings].

140:12  I know {and} rest in confidence upon it that the Lord will maintain the cause of the afflicted, and will secure justice for the poor {and} needy [of His believing children].

140:13  Surely the [uncompromisingly] righteous shall give thanks to Your name; the upright shall dwell in Your presence (before Your very face).