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:

Unto the end, a psalm for David. Deliver me, O Lord, from the evil man: rescue me from the unjust man.

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

Who have devised iniquities in their hearts: all the day long they designed battles.

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

They have sharpened their tongues like a serpent: the venom of saps is under their lips.

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 wicked: and from unjust men deliver me. Who have proposed to supplant my steps.

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 hidden a net for me. And they have stretched out cords for a snare: they have laid for me a stumblingblock by the wayside.

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: hear, O Lord, 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, Lord, the strength of my salvation: thou hast overshadowed 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)

Give me not up, O Lord, from my desire to the wicked: they have plotted against me; do not thou forsake me, lest they should triumph.

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

The head of them compassing me about: the labour of their lips shall overwhelm them.

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

Burning coals shall fall upon them; thou wilt cast them down into the fire: in miseries they shall not be able to stand.

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

A man full of tongue shall not be established in the earth: evil shall catch the unjust man unto destruction.

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

I know that the Lord will do justice to the needy, and will revenge the poor.

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

But as for the just, they shall give glory to thy name: and the upright shall dwell with thy countenance.