Psalms 140

1 “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;

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

2 Who think over evil [resolves] in their heart, [who] every day are 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: the poison of the adder is under their lips. (Selah)

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

4 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.

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 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)

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, to the voice of my supplications.

I said to the Lord: Thou art my God: hear, O Lord, the voice of my supplication.

7 O thou Eternal Lord, the strength of my salvation, thou hast covered my head on 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 longings of the wicked; suffer not his wicked device to succeed: 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 heads of those that encompass 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 be cast upon them: let them be thrown 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 the man of an [evil] tongue be established on the earth: may evil hunt down the violent man to his downfall.

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 procure right for the afflicted, [and] justice for 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 before thy presence.

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