Psalms 140

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

For the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David. Deliver me, O LORD, from the evil man; preserve me from the violent man:

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

Which imagine mischiefs in their heart; continually do they gather themselves together for war.

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

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

4 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.

Keep me, O LORD, from the hands of the wicked; preserve me from the violent man: Who have purposed to thrust aside my steps.

5 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)

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

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

I said unto the LORD, Thou art my God: give ear unto the voice of my supplications, O LORD.

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

O GOD the Lord, the strength of my salvation, thou hast covered my head in the day of battle.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

An evil speaker shall not be established in the earth: evil shall hunt the violent man to overthrow him.

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

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

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

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