Psalms 140

1 To the chief Musician, 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 Which imagine mischiefs in [their] heart; continually are they gathered together [for] war.

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

3 They have sharpened their tongues like a serpent; adders’ poison [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 overthrow my goings.

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 said unto the LORD, Thou [art] my God: hear the voice of my supplications, O LORD.

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, thou hast covered 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 wicked device; [lest] 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 Let not an evil speaker be established in the earth: evil shall hunt the violent man to overthrow [him].

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 afflicted, [and] the right of the poor.

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.