Psalms 140

1 To him that excelleth. A Psalme of David. Deliuer me, O Lord, from the euill man: preserue me from the cruel man:

Deliver me, O Jehovah, from the evil man. Preserve me from the violent man,

2 Which imagine euill things in their heart, and make warre continually.

and men who devise mischievous things in their heart. They gather themselves continually together for war.

3 They haue sharpened their tongues like a serpent: adders poyson is vnder their lips. (Selah)

They have sharpened their tongue like a serpent. Adders' poison is under their lips. (Selah)

4 Keepe mee, O Lord, from the handes of the wicked: preserue mee from the cruell man, which purposeth to cause my steppes to slide.

Keep me, O Jehovah, from the hands of a wicked man. Preserve me from violent men, who have purposed to thrust aside my steps.

5 The proude haue layde a snare for me, and spred a nette with cordes in my pathway, and set grennes for me. (Selah)

The proud have hid a snare for me, and cords. They have spread a net by the wayside. They have set snares for me. (Selah)

6 Therefore I saide vnto the Lord, Thou art my God: heare, O Lord, the voyce of my prayers.

I said to Jehovah, Thou are my God. Give ear to the voice of my supplications, O Jehovah.

7 O Lord God the strength of my saluation, thou hast couered mine head in the day of battel.

O Jehovah the Lord, the strength of my salvation, thou have covered my head in the day of battle.

8 Let not the wicked haue his desire, O Lord: performe not his wicked thought, least they be proude. (Selah)

Grant not, O Jehovah, the desires of the wicked man. Do not further his evil device. They exalt themselves. (Selah)

9 As for the chiefe of them, that compasse me about, let the mischiefe of their owne lippes come vpon them.

As for the head of those who encompass me around, let the mischief of their own lips cover them.

10 Let coles fal vpon them: let him cast them into the fire, and into the deepe pits, that they rise not.

Let burning coals fall upon them. Let them be cast into the fire, into deep pits, from where they shall not rise.

11 For the backbiter shall not be established vpon the earth: euill shall hunt the cruell man to 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 auenge the afflicted, and iudge the poore.

I know that Jehovah will maintain the cause of the afflicted man, and justice for the needy.

13 Surely the righteous shall prayse thy Name, and the iust shall dwell in thy presence.

Surely the righteous shall give thanks to thy name. The upright shall dwell in thy presence.