Psalms 140

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

To the leader. A Psalm of David. Rescue me, Lord, from evil people; from the violent guard me

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

from those who plot evil in their heart, and stir up war continually:

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

who make their tongue as sharp as a serpent’s, and under whose lips is the poison of adders. (Selah)

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

Preserve me, O Lord, from the hands of the wicked, from the violent guard me from those who are plotting to trip up my feet.

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 a trap for me, cords they have spread as a net for my feet: snares they have set at the side of my track. (Selah)

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

I have said to the Lord, ‘My God are you; attend, Lord, to my loud plea.

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

O Lord my Lord, my saviour mighty, you did cover 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; and what they have purposed, promote you not.’ (Selah)

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

Let them not lift up their heads against me. May the mischief they prate bring themselves to destruction,

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 he rain upon them coals of fire, may he strike them down swiftly, to rise no more,

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

no place in the land may there be for the slanderer: may the violent be hunted from sorrow to sorrow.

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

I know that the Lord will do right by the weak, and will execute justice for those who are 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 shall praise your name, and they who are upright shall live in your presence.