Psalm 140
Authorized (King James) Version
Psalm 140
To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David.
1 Deliver me, O Lord, from the evil man:
preserve me from the violent man;
2 which imagine mischiefs in their heart;
continually are they gathered together for war.
3 They have sharpened their tongues like a serpent;
adders’ poison is under their lips. Selah.
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 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 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,
thou hast covered my head in the day of battle.
8 Grant not, O Lord, the desires of the wicked:
further not his wicked device; lest they exalt themselves. Selah.
9 As for the head of those that compass me about,
let the mischief of their own lips cover them.
10 Let burning coals fall upon them:
let them be cast into the fire;
into deep pits, that they rise not up again.
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 will maintain the cause of the afflicted,
and the right of the poor.
13 Surely the righteous shall give thanks unto thy name:
the upright shall dwell in thy presence.
Psalm 140
American Standard Version
Prayer for protection against persecutors.
For the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David.
140 Deliver me, O Jehovah, from the evil man;
Preserve me from the violent man:
2 Who devise mischiefs in their heart;
Continually do they [a]gather themselves together for war.
3 They have sharpened their tongue like a serpent;
Adders’ poison is under their lips. Selah
4 Keep me, O Jehovah, from the hands of the wicked;
Preserve me from the violent man:
Who have purposed to thrust aside my steps.
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 said unto Jehovah, Thou art my God:
Give ear unto the voice of my supplications, O Jehovah.
7 O Jehovah the Lord, the strength of my salvation,
Thou hast covered my head in the day of battle.
8 Grant not, O Jehovah, the desires of the wicked;
Further not his evil device, lest they exalt themselves. Selah
9 As for the head of those that compass me about,
Let the mischief of their own lips cover them.
10 Let burning coals fall upon them:
Let them be cast into the fire,
Into [b]deep pits, whence they shall not rise.
11 [c]An evil speaker shall not be established in the earth:
Evil shall hunt the violent man to overthrow him.
12 I know that Jehovah will maintain the cause of the afflicted,
And justice for the needy.
13 Surely the righteous shall give thanks unto thy name:
The upright shall dwell in thy presence.
Footnotes
- Psalm 140:2 Or, stir up wars
- Psalm 140:10 Or, floods
- Psalm 140:11 Hebrew A man of tongue.
KJV reproduced by permission of Cambridge University Press, the Crown’s patentee in the UK.
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