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:

For the Leader. A Psalm of David. Deliver me, O LORD, from the evil man; preserve me from the violent man;

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

Who devise evil things in their heart; every day do they stir up wars.

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

They have sharpened their tongue like a serpent; vipers' venom 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 LORD, from the hands of the wicked; preserve me from the violent man; who have purposed to make my steps slip.

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 gins 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 the LORD: 'Thou art my God'; give ear, O LORD, unto the voice of my supplications.

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

O GOD the Lord, the strength of my salvation, who hast screened 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 LORD, the desires of the wicked; further not his evil device, so that 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 that compass me about, 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, 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.

A slanderer shall not be established in the earth; the violent and evil man shall be hunted with thrust upon thrust.

12 I know that the Lord will auenge the afflicted, and iudge the poore.

I know that the LORD will maintain the cause of the poor, and the right of the needy.

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

Surely the righteous shall give thanks unto Thy name; the upright shall dwell in Thy presence.