1 To the chief musician: a psalm of David.
2 Deliver me, Jehovah, from the evil man; from the violent man thou wilt preserve me,
3 Who devise evils in heart; all day they gather [for] wars.
4 They whet their tongue like a serpent: adder’s poison [is] under their lips, Selah.
5 Keep me, Jehovah, from the wicked one’s hands; from the violent man thou wilt preserve me, who devised to overthrow my steps.
6 Proud ones hid a snare for me, and cords; they spread a net by the wayside (hand); traps they set for me, Selah.
7 I said to Jehovah, my God (art) thou: give ear, Jehovah, to the voice of my supplication.
8 Jehovah Lord (Adonai), strength of my salvation, thou hast covered my head in the day of battle (armor).
9 Grant not, Jehovah, the wicked one’s desires; his device further not: they exalt themselves, Selah.
10 [As for] the head of my surroundings, let the mischief of their lips cover them.
11 Let burning coals be cast upon them; let them be cast into the fire, into deep water that they rise not.
12 A man of tongue shall not be established in the earth (land); a man of violence, evil shall hunt him to ruin (destruction).
13 I know that Jehovah will maintain the poor one’s cause, the right of the needy.
14 Surely the righteous shall give thanks to thy name, the upright shall sit in thy presence.
Notes on Psalm 140
“To the chief musician: a psalm of David.” Probably the “evil man,” if defined, seems to be Antichrist; the “man of violence” rather the external enemy, the Assyrian. Proud or high ones here are ungodly Israelites.