Psalms 140

1 For the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. Rescue me, O LORD, from evil men. Protect me from men of violence,

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

2 who devise evil in their hearts and stir up war all day long.

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

3 They sharpen their tongues like snakes; the venom of vipers is on their lips. Selah

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

4 Guard me, O LORD, from the hands of the wicked. Keep me safe from men of violence who scheme to make me stumble.

4 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 hide a snare for me; the cords of their net are spread along the path, and lures are set out for me. Selah

5 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 say to the LORD, “You are my God.” Hear, O LORD, my cry for help.

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

7 O GOD the Lord, the strength of my salvation, You shield my head in the day of battle.

7 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; do not promote their evil plans, lest they be exalted. Selah

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

9 May the heads of those who surround me be covered in the trouble their lips have caused.

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

10 May burning coals fall on them; may they be thrown into the fire, into the miry pits, never to rise again.

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

11 May no slanderer be established in the land; may calamity hunt down the man of violence.

11 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 upholds justice for the poor and defends the cause of the needy.

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

13 Surely the righteous will praise Your name; the upright will dwell in Your presence.

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