Psalms 140

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[1]David prayeth God to deliver him from the mischief of his enemies, [8]to frustrate their devices, and turn their evil upon themselves: [12]his confidence in God's vindication of the poor man's cause.

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.

Metrical version

Psalm 140

C.M. Ballerma, Kilmarnock

LORD, from the ill and froward man
give me deliverance,
And do thou safe preserve me from
the man of violence:

Who in their heart mischievous things
are meditating ever;
And they for war assembled are
continually together.

Much like unto a serpent's tongue
their tongues they sharp do make;
And underneath their lips there lies
the poison of a snake.

LORD, keep me from the wicked's hands,
from vi'lent men me save;
Who utterly to overthrow
my goings purposed have.

The proud for me a snare have hid,
and cords; yea, they a net
Have by the wayside for me spread;
they gins for me have set.

I said unto the LORD, Thou art
my God: unto the cry
Of all my supplications,
LORD, do thine ear apply.

O GOD the Lord, who art the strength
of my salvation:
A cov'ring in the day of war
my head thou hast put on.

Unto the wicked man, O LORD,
his wishes do not grant;
Nor further thou his ill device,
lest they themselves should vaunt.

As for the head and chief of those
about that compass me,
Ev'n by the mischief of the lips
let thou them covered be.

Let burning coals upon them fall,
them throw in fiery flame,
And in deep pits, that they no more
may rise out of the same.

Let not an evil speaker be
on earth established:
Mischief shall hunt the vi'lent man,
till he be ruined.

I know GOD will th' afflicted's cause
maintain, and poor men's right.
Surely the just shall praise thy name;
th' upright dwell in thy sight.