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:

To the chief Musician. A Psalm of David. Free 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.

Who devise mischiefs in [their] heart; every day are they banded together for war.

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

They sharpen their tongues 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 the wicked [man], preserve me from the violent man, who devise to overthrow 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 hidden a snare for me, and cords; they have spread a net by the way-side; they have set traps for me. (Selah)

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

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

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

Jehovah, the Lord, is the strength of my salvation: thou hast 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 desire of the wicked; further not his device: they would 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 that encompass me, 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 on them; let them be cast into the fire; into deep waters, that they rise not up again.

11 For the backbiter shall not be established vpon the earth: euill shall hunt the cruell man to destruction.

Let not the man of [evil] tongue be established in the earth: evil shall hunt the man of violence to [his] ruin.

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 one, the right of the needy.

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

Yea, the righteous shall give thanks unto thy name; the upright shall dwell in thy presence.