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;

For the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David. Deliver me, O LORD, from the evil man; preserve me from the violent man:

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

Which imagine mischiefs in their heart; continually do they gather themselves together for war.

3 They have sharpened their tongues like a serpent: the poison of the adder is under their lips. (Selah)

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

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 hands of the wicked; preserve me from the violent man: Who have purposed to thrust aside 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 hid a snare for me, and cords; they have spread a net by the way side; they have set gins for me. (Selah)

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

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

7 O thou Eternal Lord, the strength of my salvation, thou hast covered my head on the day of battle.

O GOD the Lord, the strength of my salvation, thou hast covered 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)

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

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

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

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

11 Let not the man of an [evil] tongue be established on the earth: may evil hunt down the violent man to his downfall.

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

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

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

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

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