Psalms 140

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

To the chief music-maker. A Psalm. Of David. O Lord, take me out of the power of the evil man; keep me safe from the violent man:

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

For their hearts are full of evil designs; and they are ever making ready causes of war.

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

Their tongues are sharp like the tongue of a snake; the poison of snakes is under their lips. (Selah)

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

O Lord, take me out of the hands of sinners; keep me safe from the violent man: for they are designing my downfall.

5 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)

The men of pride have put secret cords for my feet; stretching nets in my way, so that they may take me with their tricks. (Selah)

6 I said to the Lord, You are my God; listen, O Lord, to the voice of my supplication.

I have said to the Lord, You are my God: give ear, O Lord, to the voice of my prayer.

7 O Lord God, the strength of my salvation; you have screened my head in the day of battle.

O Lord God, the strength of my salvation, you have been a cover over my head in the day of the fight.

8 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)

O Lord, give not the wrongdoer his desire; give him no help in his evil designs, or he may be uplifted in pride. (Selah)

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

As for those who come round me, let their heads be covered by the evil of their lips.

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

Let burning flames come down on them: let them be put into the fire, and into deep waters, so that they may not get up again.

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

Let not a man of evil tongue be safe on earth: let destruction overtake the violent man with blow on blow.

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

I am certain that the Lord will take care of the cause of the poor, and of the rights of those who are troubled.

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

Truly, the upright will give praise to your name: the holy will have a place in your house.