Psalms 140:9 — Meaning and Application

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

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

{As for} the head of those that compass me about, let the mischief of their own lips cover them.

Let burning coals fall upon them: let them be cast into the fire; into deep pits, that they rise not up again.

Let not an evil speaker be established in the earth: evil shall hunt the violent man to overthrow {him}. {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}