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 the chief musician, a psalm of David.” Deliver me, O Lord, from an evil man; from a man of violence do thou keep me;

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

Who think over evil [resolves] in their heart, [who] every day are 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: the poison of the adder 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.

Preserve me, O Lord, from the hands of the wicked, from the man of violence do thou keep me, who think of overthrowing my steps.

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 hidden a snare for me, and cords; they have spread a net by the side of [my] track; traps have they set 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 have said unto the Lord, Thou art my God: give ear, O Lord, to the voice of my supplications.

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

O thou Eternal Lord, the strength of my salvation, thou hast covered my head on 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 longings of the wicked; suffer not his wicked device to succeed: 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 heads of those that encompass 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 be cast upon them: let them be thrown 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 the man of an [evil] tongue be established on the earth: may evil hunt down the violent man to his downfall.

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 procure right for the afflicted, [and] justice for the needy.

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 before thy presence.