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 leader of the music. A psalm of David.” Deliver me, O LORD! from the evil man, Save me from the man of violence,

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

Who meditate mischief in their heart, And daily stir up war!

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

They sharpen their tongues like a serpent; The poison of the adder is under their lips. (Pause)

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

Defend me, O LORD! from the hands of the wicked, Preserve me from the man of violence, Who have purposed to cause my fall! (Pause)

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 have hidden snares and cords for me; They have spread a net by the way-side; They have set traps for me.

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

I say to Jehovah, Thou art my God; Hear, O Jehovah! the voice of my supplication!

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

The Lord Jehovah is my saving strength: Thou shelterest 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; Let not their devices prosper; Let them not exalt themselves!

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

As for the heads of those who encompass me, Let the mischief of their own lips cover them!

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

Let burning coals fall upon them; May they be cast into the fire, And into deep waters from which they shall not arise!

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

The slanderer shall not be established upon the earth; Evil shall pursue the violent man to destruction.

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

I know that the LORD will maintain the cause of the afflicted, And the right of the poor.

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

Yea, the righteous shall praise thy name; The upright shall dwell in thy presence!