Chapter 140

To the chief Musician,¹⁸ A Psalm of David.
Deliver¹⁶ me, O LORD, from the evil man: preserve⁴ me from the violent man;

Which imagine¹ mischiefs in [their] heart; continually ³¹¹⁷ are they gathered⁴ together [for] war.

They have sharpened¹ their tongues like a serpent; adders' poison [is] under their lips. Selah.

Keep³ me, O LORD, from the hands of the wicked; preserve⁴ me from the violent man; who have purposed¹ to overthrow² my goings.

The proud have hid¹ a snare for me, and cords; they have spread¹ a net by the wayside; ⁴⁵⁷⁰ they have set¹ gins for me. Selah.

I said¹ unto the LORD, Thou [art] my God: hear⁵⁴ the voice of my supplications, O LORD.

O GOD the Lord, the strength of my salvation, thou hast covered¹ my head in the day of battle.

Grant⁴ not, O LORD, the desires of the wicked: further⁵⁵ not his wicked device; [lest] they exalt⁴ themselves. Selah.

[As for] the head of those that compass me about, let the mischief of their own lips cover¹⁷ them.

Let burning coals fall^{11 4131 55} upon them: let them be cast⁵⁵ into the fire; into deep pits, that they rise not up⁴ again.

Let not an evil speaker ³⁹⁵⁶ be established¹¹ in the earth: evil shall hunt⁴ the violent man to overthrow [him].

I know¹ that the LORD will maintain⁴ the cause of the afflicted, [and] the right of the poor.

Surely the righteous shall give thanks⁵⁵ unto thy name: the upright shall dwell⁴ in thy presence.