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 Overseer. — A Psalm of David. Deliver me, O Jehovah, from an evil man, From one of violence Thou keepest me.

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

Who have devised evils in the heart, All the day they assemble [for] wars.

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

They sharpened their tongue as a serpent, Poison of an 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, Jehovah, from the hands of the wicked, From one of violence Thou keepest me, Who have devised 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 hid a snare for me — and cords, They spread a net by the side of the path, Snares they have 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 to Jehovah, 'My God [art] Thou, Hear, Jehovah, 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 Jehovah, my Lord, strength of my salvation, Thou hast covered my head in the day of armour.

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 desires of the wicked, His wicked device bring not forth, They are high. (Selah)

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

The chief of my surrounders, The perverseness of their lips covereth them.

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

They cause to fall on themselves burning coals, Into fire He doth cast them, Into deep pits — they arise not.

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

A talkative man is not established in the earth, One of violence — evil hunteth to overflowing.

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

I have known that Jehovah doth execute The judgment of the afflicted, The judgment of the needy.

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

Only — the righteous give thanks to Thy name, The upright do dwell with Thy presence!