Psalms 140

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.

Study Helps

Glossary

Tongues, Confusion of People v. 3: At Babel, the cause of the early separation of mankind and their division into nations. The descendants of Noah built a tower to prevent their dispersion; but God “confounded their language”.