Psalms 140

1 For the end, a Psalm of David. Rescue me, O Lord, from the evil man; deliver me from the unjust man.

Unto the end, a psalm for David. Deliver me, O Lord, from the evil man: rescue me from the unjust man.

2 Who have devised injustice in their hearts; all the day they prepared war.

Who have devised iniquities in their hearts: all the day long they designed battles.

3 They have sharpened their tongue as [the tongue] of a serpent; the poison of asps is under their lips. (Pause)

They have sharpened their tongues like a serpent: the venom of saps is under their lips.

4 Keep me, O Lord, from the hand of the sinner; rescue me from unjust men; who have purposed to overthrow my goings.

Keep me, O Lord, from the hand of the wicked: and from unjust men deliver me. Who have proposed to supplant my steps.

5 The proud have hid a snare for me, and have stretched out ropes [for] snares for my feet; they set a stumbling block for me near the path. (Pause)

The proud have hidden a net for me. And they have stretched out cords for a snare: they have laid for me a stumblingblock by the wayside.

6 I said to the Lord, You are my God; listen, O Lord, to the voice of my supplication.

I said to the Lord: Thou art my God: hear, O Lord, the voice of my supplication.

7 O Lord God, the strength of my salvation; you have screened my head in the day of battle.

O Lord, Lord, the strength of my salvation: thou hast overshadowed my head in the day of battle.

8 Deliver me not, O Lord, to the sinner, according to my desire: they have devised [mischief] against me; forsake me not, lest they should be exalted. (Pause)

Give me not up, O Lord, from my desire to the wicked: they have plotted against me; do not thou forsake me, lest they should triumph.

9 [As for] the head of them that compass me, the mischief of their lips shall cover them.

The head of them compassing me about: the labour of their lips shall overwhelm them.

10 Coals of fire shall fall upon them on the earth; and you shall cast them down in afflictions: they shall not bear up [under them].

Burning coals shall fall upon them; thou wilt cast them down into the fire: in miseries they shall not be able to stand.

11 A talkative man shall not prosper on the earth: evils shall hunt the unrighteous man to destruction.

A man full of tongue shall not be established in the earth: evil shall catch the unjust man unto destruction.

12 I know that the Lord will maintain the cause of the poor, and the right of the needy ones.

I know that the Lord will do justice to the needy, and will revenge the poor.

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

But as for the just, they shall give glory to thy name: and the upright shall dwell with thy countenance.