Psalms 140

1 To the chief music-maker. A Psalm. Of David. O Lord, take me out of the power of the evil man; keep me safe from the violent man:

To him that excelleth. A Psalme of David. Deliuer me, O Lord, from the euill man: preserue me from the cruel man:

2 For their hearts are full of evil designs; and they are ever making ready causes of war.

Which imagine euill things in their heart, and make warre continually.

3 Their tongues are sharp like the tongue of a snake; the poison of snakes is under their lips. (Selah)

They haue sharpened their tongues like a serpent: adders poyson is vnder their lips. (Selah)

4 O Lord, take me out of the hands of sinners; keep me safe from the violent man: for they are designing my downfall.

Keepe mee, O Lord, from the handes of the wicked: preserue mee from the cruell man, which purposeth to cause my steppes to slide.

5 The men of pride have put secret cords for my feet; stretching nets in my way, so that they may take me with their tricks. (Selah)

The proude haue layde a snare for me, and spred a nette with cordes in my pathway, and set grennes for me. (Selah)

6 I have said to the Lord, You are my God: give ear, O Lord, to the voice of my prayer.

Therefore I saide vnto the Lord, Thou art my God: heare, O Lord, the voyce of my prayers.

7 O Lord God, the strength of my salvation, you have been a cover over my head in the day of the fight.

O Lord God the strength of my saluation, thou hast couered mine head in the day of battel.

8 O Lord, give not the wrongdoer his desire; give him no help in his evil designs, or he may be uplifted in pride. (Selah)

Let not the wicked haue his desire, O Lord: performe not his wicked thought, least they be proude. (Selah)

9 As for those who come round me, let their heads be covered by the evil of their lips.

As for the chiefe of them, that compasse me about, let the mischiefe of their owne lippes come vpon them.

10 Let burning flames come down on them: let them be put into the fire, and into deep waters, so that they may not get up again.

Let coles fal vpon them: let him cast them into the fire, and into the deepe pits, that they rise not.

11 Let not a man of evil tongue be safe on earth: let destruction overtake the violent man with blow on blow.

For the backbiter shall not be established vpon the earth: euill shall hunt the cruell man to destruction.

12 I am certain that the Lord will take care of the cause of the poor, and of the rights of those who are troubled.

I know that the Lord will auenge the afflicted, and iudge the poore.

13 Truly, the upright will give praise to your name: the holy will have a place in your house.

Surely the righteous shall prayse thy Name, and the iust shall dwell in thy presence.