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Psalm 140

English Standard Version



1 To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. Deliver me, O Lord, from evil men; preserve me from violent men, (Ps 18:48; Ps 71:4; Ps 119:153; Ps 119:170; Pr 3:31) 2 who plan evil things in their heart and stir up wars continually. (Ps 56:6) 3 They make their tongue sharp as a serpent’s, and under their lips is the venom of asps. (Ps 10:7; Ps 52:2; Ps 58:4; Ro 3:13) 4 Guard me, O Lord, from the hands of the wicked; preserve me from violent men, who have planned to trip up my feet. (Ps 140:1) 5 The arrogant have hidden a trap for me, and with cords they have spread a net;[1] beside the way they have set snares for me. (Job 18:8; Ps 35:7; Ps 64:5; Ps 141:9; Ps 142:3; Jer 18:22) 6 I say to the Lord, You are my God; give ear to the voice of my pleas for mercy, O Lord! (Ps 28:2; Ps 31:22; Ps 130:2; Ps 142:5) 7 O Lord, my Lord, the strength of my salvation, you have covered my head in the day of battle. (Ps 28:8) 8 Grant not, O Lord, the desires of the wicked; do not further their[2] evil plot, or they will be exalted! (Ps 35:25; Isa 14:21) 9 As for the head of those who surround me, let the mischief of their lips overwhelm them! (Ps 7:16; Pr 12:13; Pr 18:7) 10 Let burning coals fall upon them! Let them be cast into fire, into miry pits, no more to rise! (Ps 11:6; Ps 18:13) 11 Let not the slanderer be established in the land; let evil hunt down the violent man speedily! 12 I know that the Lord will maintain the cause of the afflicted, and will execute justice for the needy. (1Ki 8:45; 1Ki 8:49; 1Ki 8:59; Ps 9:4) 13 Surely the righteous shall give thanks to your name; the upright shall dwell in your presence. (Ps 11:7; Ps 64:10) 

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The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®) is adapted from the Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A. All rights reserved.

Psalm 140

King James Version

1 To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. 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. 

King James Bible (1769). Public Domain.
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