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 an evil man; from a man of violence do thou keep me;

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

Who think over evil [resolves] in their heart, [who] every day are 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: the poison of the adder 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.

Preserve me, O Lord, from the hands of the wicked, from the man of violence do thou keep me, who think of overthrowing 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 side of [my] track; traps have they set 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, 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.

O thou Eternal Lord, the strength of my salvation, thou hast covered my head on 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 longings of the wicked; suffer not his wicked device to succeed: 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 heads of those that encompass 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 be cast upon them: let them be thrown 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 the man of an [evil] tongue be established on the earth: may evil hunt down the violent man to his downfall.

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

I know that the Lord will procure right for the afflicted, [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 unto thy name: the upright shall dwell before thy presence.