Psalms 140

1 For the end, a Psalm of David. Rescue me, O Lord, from the evil man; deliver me from the unjust man.

Deliver me, O LORD, from the evil man: preserve me from the violent man;

2 Who have devised injustice in their hearts; all the day they prepared war.

Which imagine mischiefs in their heart; continually are they gathered together for war.

3 They have sharpened their tongue as [the tongue] of a serpent; the poison of asps is under their lips. (Pause)

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

4 Keep me, O Lord, from the hand of the sinner; rescue me from unjust men; who have purposed to overthrow my goings.

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

5 The proud have hid a snare for me, and have stretched out ropes [for] snares for my feet; they set a stumbling block for me near the path. (Pause)

The proud have hid a snare for me, and cords; they have spread a net by the wayside; they have set gins for me. (Selah)

6 I said to the Lord, You are my God; listen, O Lord, to the voice of my supplication.

I said to the LORD, You are my God: hear the voice of my supplications, O LORD.

7 O Lord God, the strength of my salvation; you have screened my head in the day of battle.

O GOD the Lord, the strength of my salvation, you have covered my head in the day of battle.

8 Deliver me not, O Lord, to the sinner, according to my desire: they have devised [mischief] against me; forsake me not, lest they should be exalted. (Pause)

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

9 [As for] the head of them that compass me, the mischief of their lips shall cover them.

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

10 Coals of fire shall fall upon them on the earth; and you shall cast them down in afflictions: they shall not bear up [under them].

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

11 A talkative man shall not prosper on the earth: evils shall hunt the unrighteous man to destruction.

Let not an evil speaker 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 poor, and the right of the needy ones.

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

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

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