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:

DELIVER me, O Lord, from the evil man: preserve me from the violent man;

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

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

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

They have sharpened their tongues like a serpent; adders’ poison is under 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.

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 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 proud have hid a snare for me, and cords; they have spread a net by the wayside; they have set gins for me. (Selah)

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

I said unto the Lord, Thou art my God: hear the voice of my supplications, O Lord.

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

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

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)

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

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

As for the head of those that compass me about, let the mischief of their own lips cover 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 burning coals fall upon them: let them be cast into the fire; into deep pits, that they rise not up again.

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

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

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 maintain the cause of the afflicted, and the right of the poor.

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

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