Psalms 140

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

For the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. Rescue me, O LORD, from evil men. Protect me from men of violence,

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

who devise evil in their hearts and stir up war all day long.

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

They sharpen their tongues like snakes; the venom of vipers is on their lips.

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

Guard me, O LORD, from the hands of the wicked. Keep me safe from men of violence who scheme to make me stumble.

5 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.

The proud hide a snare for me; the cords of their net are spread along the path, and lures are set out for me.

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

I say to the LORD, “You are my God.” Hear, O LORD, my cry for help.

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

O GOD the Lord, the strength of my salvation, You shield my head in the day of battle.

8 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.

Grant not, O LORD, the desires of the wicked; do not promote their evil plans, lest they be exalted.

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

May the heads of those who surround me be covered in the trouble their lips have caused.

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

May burning coals fall on them; may they be thrown into the fire, into the miry pits, never to rise again.

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

May no slanderer be established in the land; may calamity hunt down the man of violence.

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

I know that the LORD upholds justice for the poor and defends the cause of the needy.

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

Surely the righteous will praise Your name; the upright will dwell in Your presence.