1 Vir die musiekleier. 'n Psalm van Dawid.

2 Red my, HERE, van die kwaaddoeners, bewaar my vir die manne van geweld;

3 wat slegte dinge in die hart bedink, wat elke dag stryd verwek.

4 Hulle maak hul tong skerp soos 'n slang; gif van 'n adder is onder hulle lippe. Sela.

5 Bewaar my, HERE, vir die hande van die goddelose; behoed my vir die manne van geweld wat planne beraam om my voete weg te stoot.

6 Trotsaards het vir my 'n vangnet gespan en toue; hulle het 'n net uitgespan aan die kant van die pad; strikke het hulle vir my gestel. Sela.

7 Ek het tot die HERE gesê: U is my God; luister tog, HERE, na die stem van my smekinge!

8 HERE Here, Sterkte van my heil, U beskut my hoof in die dag van stryd!

9 HERE, gee tog nie die begeertes van die goddelose nie; laat sy listige plan nie geluk, sodat hulle hul verhef nie. Sela.

10 Wat betref die hoof van die wat my omring -- laat die onheil van hulle lippe hulle oordek.

11 Laat vurige kole op hulle afgegooi word; mag Hy hulle laat val in die vuur, in kuile, sodat hulle nie weer opstaan nie!

12 Laat die kwaadspreker nie op aarde bevestig word nie; die man van geweld -- laat die ongeluk hom jaag met slag op slag.

13 Ek weet dat die HERE die regsaak van die ellendige, die reg van die behoeftiges sal behartig. [ (Psalms 140:14) Sekerlik, die regverdiges sal u Naam loof, die opregtes sal voor u aangesig woon. ]

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.