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;

“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;

2 Who imagine mischiefs in [their] heart; continually are they assembled [for] war.

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

3 They have sharpened their tongues like a serpent; adder's poison [is] under their lips. (Selah)

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

4 Keep me, O LORD, from the hands of the wicked; preserve me from the violent man; who have purposed to overthrow my goings.

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.

5 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)

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)

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

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

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

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

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

Grant not, O Lord, the longings of the wicked; suffer not his wicked device to succeed: lest they exalt themselves. (Selah)

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

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

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

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

11 Let not an evil speaker be established on the earth: evil shall hunt the violent man to overthrow [him].

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

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 procure right for the afflicted, [and] justice for the needy.

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

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