To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David.

1 Deliver me, O LORD, from the evil man: preserve me from the violent man;*140.1 violent…: Heb. man of violences

2 Which imagine mischiefs in their heart; continually are they gathered together for war.

3 They have sharpened their tongues like a serpent; adders’ poison is under their lips. Selah.

4 Keep me, O LORD, from the hands of the wicked; preserve me from the violent man; who have purposed to overthrow my goings.

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 the LORD, Thou art my God: hear the voice of my supplications, O LORD.

7 O GOD the Lord, the strength of my salvation, thou hast covered my head in the day of battle.

8 Grant not, O LORD, the desires of the wicked: further not his wicked device; lest they exalt themselves. Selah.*140.8 lest…: or, let them not be exalted

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, that they rise not up again.

11 Let not an evil speaker be established in the earth: evil shall hunt the violent man to overthrow him.*140.11 an…: or, an evil speaker (Heb. a man of tongue), a wicked man of violence, be established in the earth: let him be hunted to his overthrow

12 I know that the LORD will maintain the cause of the afflicted, and the right of the poor.

13 Surely the righteous shall give thanks unto thy name: the upright shall dwell in thy presence.

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.

14 Sekerlik, die regverdiges sal u Naam loof, die opregtes sal voor u aangesig woon.