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 leader. A Psalm of David. Rescue me, Lord, from evil people; from the violent guard me

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

from those who plot evil in their heart, and stir up war continually:

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

who make their tongue as sharp as a serpent’s, and under whose lips is the poison of adders. (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 violent guard me from those who are plotting to trip up my feet.

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 trap for me, cords they have spread as a net for my feet: snares they have set at the side of my track. (Selah)

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

I have said to the Lord, “My God are you; attend, Lord, to my loud plea.

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

O Lord my Lord, my savior mighty, you did cover 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; and what they have purposed, promote you not.” (Selah)

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

Let them not lift up their heads against me. May the mischief they prate bring themselves to destruction,

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

may he rain upon them coals of fire, may he strike them down swiftly, to rise no more,

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

no place in the land may there be for the slanderer: may the violent be hunted from sorrow to sorrow.

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

I know that the Lord will do right by the weak, and will execute justice for those who are needy.

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

Surely the righteous shall praise your name, and they who are upright shall live in your presence.