Psalms 140

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

Unto the end, a psalm for David. Deliver me, O Lord, from the evil man: rescue me from the unjust man.

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

Who have devised iniquities in their hearts: all the day long they designed battles.

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

They have sharpened their tongues like a serpent: the venom of saps is under their lips.

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 wicked: and from unjust men deliver me. Who have proposed to supplant my steps.

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 hidden a net for me. And they have stretched out cords for a snare: they have laid for me a stumblingblock by the wayside.

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: hear, O Lord, 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, Lord, the strength of my salvation: thou hast overshadowed 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)

Give me not up, O Lord, from my desire to the wicked: they have plotted against me; do not thou forsake me, lest they should triumph.

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

The head of them compassing me about: the labour of their lips shall overwhelm them.

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

Burning coals shall fall upon them; thou wilt cast them down into the fire: in miseries they shall not be able to stand.

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

A man full of tongue shall not be established in the earth: evil shall catch the unjust man unto 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 do justice to the needy, and will revenge the poor.

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

But as for the just, they shall give glory to thy name: and the upright shall dwell with thy countenance.