Psalms 140

1 To him that excelleth. A Psalme of David. Deliuer me, O Lord, from the euill man: preserue me from the cruel man:

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

2 Which imagine euill things in their heart, and make warre continually.

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

3 They haue sharpened their tongues like a serpent: adders poyson is vnder their lips. (Selah)

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

4 Keepe mee, O Lord, from the handes of the wicked: preserue mee from the cruell man, which purposeth to cause my steppes to slide.

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

5 The proude haue layde a snare for me, and spred a nette with cordes in my pathway, and set grennes for me. (Selah)

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)

6 Therefore I saide vnto the Lord, Thou art my God: heare, O Lord, the voyce of my prayers.

I said to the Lord, Thou art my God; hearken, O Lord, to the voice of my supplication.

7 O Lord God the strength of my saluation, thou hast couered mine head in the day of battel.

O Lord God, the strength of my salvation; thou hast screened my head in the day of battle.

8 Let not the wicked haue his desire, O Lord: performe not his wicked thought, least they be proude. (Selah)

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)

9 As for the chiefe of them, that compasse me about, let the mischiefe of their owne lippes come vpon them.

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

10 Let coles fal vpon them: let him cast them into the fire, and into the deepe pits, that they rise not.

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

11 For the backbiter shall not be established vpon the earth: euill shall hunt the cruell man to destruction.

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

12 I know that the Lord will auenge the afflicted, and iudge the poore.

I know that the Lord will maintain the cause of the poor, and the right of the needy ones.

13 Surely the righteous shall prayse thy Name, and the iust shall dwell in thy presence.

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