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. 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.

Which imagine mischiefs in [their] heart; continually are they gathered together [for] war.

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

They have sharpened 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 LORD, from the hands of the wicked; preserve me from the violent man; who have purposed to overthrow my goings.

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 said unto the LORD, Thou [art] my God: hear the voice of my supplications, O LORD.

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, 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 LORD, the desires of the wicked: further not his wicked device; [lest] 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.

Let not an evil speaker 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 the LORD will maintain the cause of the afflicted, [and] the right of the poor.

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.