Psalms 140

1 For the Leader. A Psalm of David. Deliver me, O LORD, from the evil man; preserve me from the violent 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 Who devise evil things in their heart; every day do they stir up wars.

Who think over evil [resolves] in their heart, [who] every day are gathered together for war.

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 poison of the adder is under their lips. (Selah)

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.

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 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 snare for me, and cords; they have spread a net by the side of [my] track; traps have they set for me. (Selah)

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

I have said unto the Lord, Thou art my God: give ear, O Lord, to the voice of my supplications.

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

O thou Eternal Lord, the strength of my salvation, thou hast covered my head on 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)

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

[As for] the heads of those that encompass me about, let the mischief of their own lips 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.

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

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

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 maintain the cause of the poor, and the right of the needy.

I know that the Lord will procure right for the afflicted, [and] justice for the needy.

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

Surely the righteous shall give thanks unto thy name: the upright shall dwell before thy presence.