Psalms 140

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

For the end, a Psalm of David. Rescue me, O Lord, from the evil man; deliver me from the unjust man.

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

Who have devised injustice in their hearts; all the day they prepared war.

3 They have sharpened their tongue like a serpent; vipers' venom is under their lips. (Selah)

They have sharpened their tongue as [the tongue] of a serpent; the poison of asps is under their lips. (Pause)

4 Keep me, O LORD, from the hands of the wicked; preserve me from the violent man; who have purposed to make my steps slip.

Keep me, O Lord, from the hand of the sinner; rescue me from unjust men; who have purposed to overthrow my goings.

5 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)

The proud have hid a snare for me, and have stretched out ropes [for] snares for my feet; they set a stumbling-block for me near the path. (Pause)

6 I have said unto the LORD: 'Thou art my God'; give ear, O LORD, unto the voice of my supplications.

I said to the Lord, Thou art my God; hearken, O Lord, to the voice of my supplication.

7 O GOD the Lord, the strength of my salvation, who hast screened my head in the day of battle,

O Lord God, the strength of my salvation; thou hast screened my head in the day of battle.

8 Grant not, O LORD, the desires of the wicked; further not his evil device, so that they exalt themselves. (Selah)

Deliver me not, O Lord, to the sinner, according to my desire: they have devised [mischief] against me; forsake me not, lest they should be exalted. (Pause)

9 As for the head of those that compass me about, let the mischief of their own lips cover them.

[As for] the head of them that compass me, the mischief of their lips shall cover them.

10 Let burning coals fall upon them; let them be cast into the fire, into deep pits, that they rise not up again.

Coals of fire shall fall upon them on the earth; and thou shalt cast them down in afflictions: they shall not bear up [under them].

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

A talkative man shall not prosper on the earth: evils shall hunt the unrighteous man to destruction.

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

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

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

Surely the righteous shall give thanks to thy name: the upright shall dwell in thy presence.