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 an evil man; from a man of violence do thou keep me;
2 Who have devised injustice in their hearts; all the day they prepared war.
Who think over evil [resolves] in their heart, [who] every day are 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: the poison of the adder 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.
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 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 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 said to the Lord, You are my God; listen, O Lord, to the voice of my supplication.
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 screened my head in the day of battle.
O thou Eternal Lord, the strength of my salvation, thou hast covered my head on 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 longings of the wicked; suffer not his wicked device to succeed: 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 heads of those that encompass 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 be cast upon them: let them be thrown 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 the man of an [evil] tongue be established on the earth: may evil hunt down the violent man to his downfall.
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 procure right for the afflicted, [and] justice for the needy.
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 before thy presence.
