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). |