THE *BOOK OF
PSALMS.
Psalm 140 ©
David prays for deliverance from evil men, with confident assurance in the Lord; praying likewise for the destruction of the slanderers, with confident assurance of God’s righteousness.
To1 the chief Musician, A Psalm of David.
DELIVER me, O LORD, 2from the evil man: preserve me from 3the violent man;
4Which imagine 5mischiefs in their heart; continually are they gathered together for war.
They have 6sharpened their tongues like a serpent; 7adders’a poison is under their lips. Selah.
Keep me, O LORD, from the hands of the wicked; preserve me 8from the violent man; who have purposed to overthrow 9my goings.
The proud have hid a snare for me, and cords; they have spread a net 10by the wayside; they have set ginsb for me. Selah.
I said unto the LORD, Thou art my God: hear the voice of my supplications, O LORD.
O GOD the Lord, the 11strength of my salvation, 12thou hast covered my head in the day of 13battle.
14Grant not, O LORD, the desires of the wicked: further not his wicked device; lest 15they exalt themselves. Selah.
As for 16the head of those that compass me about, let 17the mischief of their own lips cover them.
Let 18burning coals fall upon them: 19let them be cast into the 20fire; 21into deep pits, that they rise not up again.
Let not an 22evil speaker be established in the earth: 23evil 24shall hunt the violent man 25to overthrow him.
I know that the LORD 26will maintain the cause of the afflicted, and the right of the poor.
Surely the righteous shall give thanks unto thy name: the upright 27shall dwell in thy presence.