Psalmorum 140

1 In finem. Psalmus David. [Eripe me, Domine, ab homine malo; a viro iniquo eripe me.

To the leader. A Psalm of David. Rescue me, Lord, from evil people; from the violent guard me

2 Qui cogitaverunt iniquitates in corde, tota die constituebant prælia.

from those who plot evil in their heart, and stir up war continually:

3 Acuerunt linguas suas sicut serpentis; venenum aspidum sub labiis eorum.

who make their tongue as sharp as a serpent’s, and under whose lips is the poison of adders. (Selah)

4 Custodi me, Domine, de manu peccatoris, et ab hominibus iniquis eripe me. Qui cogitaverunt supplantare gressus meos:

Preserve me, O Lord, from the hands of the wicked, from the violent guard me from those who are plotting to trip up my feet.

5 absconderunt superbi laqueum mihi. Et funes extenderunt in laqueum; juxta iter, scandalum posuerunt mihi.

The proud have hidden a trap for me, cords they have spread as a net for my feet: snares they have set at the side of my track. (Selah)

6 Dixi Domino: Deus meus es tu; exaudi, Domine, vocem deprecationis meæ.

I have said to the Lord, ‘My God are you; attend, Lord, to my loud plea.

7 Domine, Domine, virtus salutis meæ, obumbrasti super caput meum in die belli.

O Lord my Lord, my saviour mighty, you did cover my head in the day of battle.

8 Ne tradas me, Domine, a desiderio meo peccatori: cogitaverunt contra me; ne derelinquas me, ne forte exaltentur.

Grant not, O Lord, the desires of the wicked; and what they have purposed, promote you not.’ (Selah)

9 Caput circuitus eorum: labor labiorum ipsorum operiet eos.

Let them not lift up their heads against me. May the mischief they prate bring themselves to destruction,

10 Cadent super eos carbones; in ignem dejicies eos: in miseriis non subsistent.

may he rain upon them coals of fire, may he strike them down swiftly, to rise no more,

11 Vir linguosus non dirigetur in terra; virum injustum mala capient in interitu.

no place in the land may there be for the slanderer: may the violent be hunted from sorrow to sorrow.

12 Cognovi quia faciet Dominus judicium inopis, et vindictam pauperum.

I know that the Lord will do right by the weak, and will execute justice for those who are needy.

13 Verumtamen justi confitebuntur nomini tuo, et habitabunt recti cum vultu tuo.]

Surely the righteous shall praise your name, and they who are upright shall live in your presence.