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The Book of Psalms

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- Chapter 140 -

Save me, O Lord, from evil men

1
Unto the end. A Psalm of David.
2
Rescue me, O Lord, from the evil man. Rescue me from the iniquitous leader.(a)
3
Those who have devised iniquities in their hearts: all day long they constructed conflicts.
4
They have sharpened their tongues like a serpent. The venom of asps is under their lips.
5
Preserve me, O Lord, from the hand of the sinner, and rescue me from men of iniquity. They have decided to supplant my steps.
6
The arrogant have hidden a snare for me. And they have stretched out cords for a snare. They have placed a stumbling block for me near the road.
7
I said to the Lord: You are my God. O Lord, heed the voice of my supplication.
8
Lord, O Lord, the strength of my salvation: you have overshadowed my head in the day of war.
9
O Lord, do not hand me over to the sinner by my desire. They have plotted against me. Do not abandon me, lest they should triumph.
10
The head of those who encompass me, the labor of their lips, will overwhelm them.
11
Burning coals will fall upon them. You will cast them down into the fire, into miseries that they will not be able to withstand.
12
A talkative man will not be guided aright upon the earth. Evils will drag the unjust man unto utter ruin.
13
I know that the Lord will accomplish justice for the needy and vindication for the poor.
14
So then, truly, the just will confess your name, and the upright will dwell with your countenance.

Footnotes

(a)139:2 Here we have two different Latin words (homine, viro) that are usually translated with the same English word, ‘man.’ But the Latin word ‘viro’ can refer to a particular type of man, such as a strong man, or a virtuous man, or a man with some degree of power and authority. So, in this context, ‘viro’ is best translated as ‘leader,’ rather than translating it as ‘man.’ This allows the English translation to reflect the different use of the words in Latin: ‘homine,’ and ‘viro.’(Conte)

Save me, O Lord, from evil men

1
Deliver me, LORD, from evil men. Preserve me from violent men:
2
those who devise mischief in their hearts. They continually gather themselves together for war.
3
They have sharpened their tongues like a serpent. Viper’s poison is under their lips. Selah.
4
LORD, keep me from the hands of the wicked. Preserve me from the violent men who have determined to trip my feet.
5
The proud have hidden a snare for me, they have spread the cords of a net by the path. They have set traps for me. Selah.
6
I said to the LORD, “You are my God.” Listen to the cry of my petitions, LORD.
7
LORD, the Lord, the strength of my salvation, you have covered my head in the day of battle.
8
LORD, don’t grant the desires of the wicked. Don’t let their evil plans succeed, or they will become proud. Selah.
9
As for the head of those who surround me, let the mischief of their own lips cover them.
10
Let burning coals fall on them. Let them be thrown into the fire, into miry pits, from where they never rise.
11
An evil speaker won’t be established in the earth. Evil will hunt the violent man to overthrow him.
12
I know that the LORD will maintain the cause of the afflicted, and justice for the needy.
13
Surely the righteous will give thanks to your name. The upright will dwell in your presence.
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