< Psalms 140 >
1 For the end, a Psalm of David. Rescue me, O Lord, from the evil man; deliver me from the unjust man.
To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. Deliver me, O LORD, from the evil man: preserve me from the violent man;
2 Who have devised injustice in their hearts; all the day they prepared war.
Which imagine mischiefs in [their] heart; continually are they gathered together [for] war.
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; adders’ poison [is] under their lips. (Selah)
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 hands of the wicked; preserve me from the violent man; who have purposed to overthrow my goings.
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 hid a snare for me, and cords; they have spread a net by the wayside; they have set gins for me. (Selah)
6 I said to the Lord, You are my God; listen, O Lord, to the voice of my supplication.
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 screened 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 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)
Grant not, O LORD, the desires of the wicked: further not his wicked device; [lest] they exalt themselves. (Selah)
9 [As for] the head of them that compass me, the mischief of their lips shall cover them.
[As for] the head of those that compass me about, let the mischief of their own lips cover 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].
Let burning coals fall upon them: let them be cast into the fire; into deep pits, that they rise not up again.
11 A talkative man shall not prosper on the earth: evils shall hunt the unrighteous man to destruction.
Let not an evil speaker be established in the earth: evil shall hunt the violent man to overthrow [him].
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 maintain the cause of the afflicted, [and] the right of the poor.
13 Surely the righteous shall give thanks to your name: the upright shall dwell in your presence.
Surely the righteous shall give thanks unto thy name: the upright shall dwell in thy presence.