Psalms 140

1 “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,

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

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

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

3 They sharpen their tongues like a serpent; The poison of the adder is under their lips. (Pause)

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

4 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)

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

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

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

7 The Lord Jehovah is my saving strength: Thou shelterest my head in 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 desires of the wicked; Let not their devices prosper; Let them not exalt themselves!

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 who encompass me, 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 fall upon them; May they be cast into the fire, And into deep waters from which they shall not arise!

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

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

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 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 needy.

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

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