Psalms 140

1 Unto the end. A Psalm of David. Rescue me, O Lord, from the evil man. Rescue me from the iniquitous leader.

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

2 Those who have devised iniquities in their hearts: all day long they constructed conflicts.

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

3 They have sharpened their tongues like a serpent. The venom of asps is under their lips.

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

4 Preserve me, O Lord, from the hand of the sinner, and rescue me from men of iniquity. They have decided to supplant my steps.

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 arrogant have hidden a snare for me. And they have stretched out cords for a snare. They have placed a stumbling block for me near the road.

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. O Lord, heed the voice of my supplication.

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

7 Lord, O Lord, the strength of my salvation: you have overshadowed my head in the day of war.

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

8 O Lord, do not hand me over to the sinner by my desire. They have plotted against me. Do not abandon me, lest they should triumph.

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

9 The head of those who encompass me, the labor of their lips, will overwhelm them.

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

10 Burning coals will fall upon them. You will cast them down into the fire, into miseries that they will not be able to withstand.

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 will not be guided aright upon the earth. Evils will drag the unjust man unto utter ruin.

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 accomplish justice for the needy and vindication for the poor.

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

13 So then, truly, the just will confess your name, and the upright will dwell with your countenance.

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