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 Chief Musician. A Psalm of David. Deliver me, O LORD, from the evil man; preserve me from the violent man:

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

Which imagine mischiefs in their heart; continually do they gather themselves together for war.

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

They have sharpened their tongue like a serpent; adders’ poison is under their lips. (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.

Keep me, O LORD, from the hands of the wicked; preserve me from the violent man: Who have purposed to thrust aside my steps.

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 hid a snare for me, and cords; they have spread a net by the way side; they have set gins for me. (Selah)

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

I said unto the LORD, Thou art my God: give ear unto the voice of my supplications, O LORD.

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, thou hast covered 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; further not his evil device; [lest] they exalt themselves. (Selah)

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

As for the head of those that compass me about, 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: let them be cast into the fire; into deep pits, that they rise not up again.

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

An evil speaker shall not be established in the earth: evil shall hunt the violent man to overthrow him.

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 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 give thanks unto thy name: the upright shall dwell in thy presence.