Psalm 140

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Psalm 140 – New International Version (NIV)

Psalm 140[a]

For the director of music. A psalm of David.

  1. Rescue me, Lord, from evildoers; protect me from the violent,
  2. who devise evil plans in their hearts and stir up war every day.
  3. They make their tongues as sharp as a serpent’s; the poison of vipers is on their lips.[b]
  4. Keep me safe, Lord, from the hands of the wicked; protect me from the violent, who devise ways to trip my feet.
  5. The arrogant have hidden a snare for me; they have spread out the cords of their net and have set traps for me along my path.
  6. I say to the Lord, “You are my God.” Hear, Lord, my cry for mercy.
  7. Sovereign Lord, my strong deliverer, you shield my head in the day of battle.
  8. Do not grant the wicked their desires, Lord; do not let their plans succeed.
  9. Those who surround me proudly rear their heads; may the mischief of their lips engulf them.
  10. May burning coals fall on them; may they be thrown into the fire, into miry pits, never to rise.
  11. May slanderers not be established in the land; may disaster hunt down the violent.
  12. I know that the Lord secures justice for the poor and upholds the cause of the needy.
  13. Surely the righteous will praise your name, and the upright will live in your presence.

Footnotes

a. Psalm 140:1 In Hebrew texts 140:1-13 is numbered 140:2-14.
b. Psalm 140:3 The Hebrew has Selah (a word of uncertain meaning) here and at the end of verses 5 and 8.

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Psalm 140 – King James Version (KJV)

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.