Psalms 140

1 For the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. Rescue me, O LORD, from evil men. Protect me from men of violence,

To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. Deliver me, O LORD, from the evil man: preserve me from the violent man;

2 who devise evil in their hearts and stir up war all day long.

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

3 They sharpen their tongues like snakes; the venom of vipers is on their lips.

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

4 Guard me, O LORD, from the hands of the wicked. Keep me safe from men of violence who scheme to make me stumble.

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 hide a snare for me; the cords of their net are spread along the path, and lures are set out for me.

The proud have hid a trap for me, and cords; they have spread a net by the way side; they have set snares for me. (Selah)

6 I say to the LORD, “You are my God.” Hear, O LORD, my cry for help.

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

7 O GOD the Lord, the strength of my salvation, You shield my head in the day of battle.

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; do not promote their evil plans, lest they be exalted.

Grant not, O LORD, the desires of the wicked: further not his wicked device; lest they exalt themselves. (Selah)

9 May the heads of those who surround me be covered in the trouble their lips have caused.

As for the head of those that surroundeth me, let the mischief of their own lips cover them.

10 May burning coals fall on them; may they be thrown into the fire, into the miry pits, never to rise again.

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

11 May no slanderer be established in the land; may calamity hunt down the man of violence.

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

12 I know that the LORD upholds justice for the poor and defends the cause of the needy.

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

13 Surely the righteous will praise Your name; the upright will dwell in Your presence.

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