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.

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To1 the chief Musician, A Psalm of David.

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DELIVER me, O LORD, 2from the evil man: preserve me from 3the violent man;

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4Which imagine 5mischiefs in their heart; continually are they gathered together for war.

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They have 6sharpened their tongues like a serpent; 7adders’a poison is under their lips. Selah.

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Keep me, O LORD, from the hands of the wicked; preserve me 8from the violent man; who have purposed to overthrow 9my goings.

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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.

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

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O GOD the Lord, the 11strength of my salvation, 12thou hast covered my head in the day of 13battle.

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14Grant not, O LORD, the desires of the wicked: further not his wicked device; lest 15they exalt themselves. Selah.

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As for 16the head of those that compass me about, let 17the mischief of their own lips cover them.

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Let 18burning coals fall upon them: 19let them be cast into the 20fire; 21into deep pits, that they rise not up again.

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Let not an 22evil speaker be established in the earth: 23evil 24shall hunt the violent man 25to overthrow him.

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I know that the LORD 26will maintain the cause of the afflicted, and the right of the poor.

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Surely the righteous shall give thanks unto thy name: the upright 27shall dwell in thy presence.