Psalms 140

1 Deliver me, O LORD, from the evil man: preserve me from the violent man;

“For the leader of the music. A psalm of David.” Deliver me, O LORD! from the evil man, Save me from the man of violence,

2 Which imagine mischiefs in their heart; continually are they gathered together for war.

Who meditate mischief in their heart, And daily stir up war!

3 They have sharpened their tongues like a serpent; adders’ poison is under their lips. (Selah)

They sharpen their tongues like a serpent; The poison of the adder 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 overthrow my goings.

Defend me, O LORD! from the hands of the wicked, Preserve me from the man of violence, Who have purposed to cause my fall! (Pause)

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 snares and cords for me; They have spread a net by the way-side; They have set traps for me.

6 I said to the LORD, You are my God: hear the voice of my supplications, O LORD.

I say to Jehovah, Thou art my God; Hear, O Jehovah! the voice of my supplication!

7 O GOD the Lord, the strength of my salvation, you have covered my head in the day of battle.

The Lord Jehovah is my saving strength: Thou shelterest my head in the day of battle!

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

Grant not, O LORD! the desires of the wicked; Let not their devices prosper; Let them not exalt themselves!

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 who encompass me, Let the mischief of their own lips cover them!

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

Let burning coals fall upon them; May they be cast into the fire, And into deep waters from which they shall not arise!

11 Let not an evil speaker be established in the earth: evil shall hunt the violent man to overthrow him.

The slanderer shall not be established upon the earth; Evil shall pursue the violent man to destruction.

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

I know that the LORD will maintain the cause of the afflicted, And the right of the poor.

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

Yea, the righteous shall praise thy name; The upright shall dwell in thy presence!