Psalms 140-142

Psalm 140

¹For the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David. Deliver me, O LORD, from the evil man; preserve me from the violent man:

²Which imagine mischiefs in their heart; continually do they gather themselves together for war.

³They have sharpened their tongue like a serpent; adders’ poison is under their lips. Selah

⁴Keep me, O LORD, from the hands of the wicked; preserve me from the violent man: Who have purposed to thrust aside my steps.

⁵The proud have hid a snare for me, and cords; they have spread a net by the way side; they have set gins for me. Selah

⁶I said unto the LORD, Thou art my God: give ear unto the voice of my supplications, O LORD.

⁷O GOD the Lord, the strength of my salvation, thou hast covered my head in the day of battle.

⁸Grant not, O LORD, the desires of the wicked; further not his evil device; lest they exalt themselves. Selah

⁹As for the head of those that compass me about, let the mischief of their own lips cover them.

¹⁰Let burning coals fall upon them: let them be cast into the fire; into deep pits, that they rise not up again.

¹¹An evil speaker shall not be established in the earth: evil shall hunt the violent man to overthrow him.

¹²I know that the LORD will maintain the cause of the afflicted, and the right of the needy.

¹³Surely the righteous shall give thanks unto thy name: the upright shall dwell in thy presence.

Psalm 141

¹A Psalm of David. LORD, I have called upon thee; make haste unto me: give ear unto my voice, when I call unto thee.

²Let my prayer be set forth as incense before thee; the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice.

³Set a watch, O LORD, before my mouth; keep the door of my tips.

⁴Incline not my heart to any evil thing, to be occupied in deeds of wickedness with men that work iniquity: and let me not eat of their dainties.

⁵Let the righteous smite me, it shall be a kindness; and let him reprove me, it shall be as oil upon the head; let not my head refuse it: for even in their wickedness shall my prayer continue.

⁶Their judges are thrown down by the sides of the rock; and they shall hear my words; for they are sweet.

⁷As when one ploweth and cleaveth the earth, our bones are scattered at the grave’s mouth.

⁸For mine eyes are unto thee, O GOD the Lord: in thee do I put my trust; leave not my soul destitute.

⁹Keep me from the snare which they have laid for me, and from the gins of the workers of iniquity.

¹⁰Let the wicked fall into their own nets, whilst that I withal escape.

Psalm 142

¹Maschil of David, when he was in the cave; a Prayer. I cry with my voice unto the LORD; with my voice unto the LORD do I make supplication.

²I pour out my complaint before him; I shew before him my trouble.

³When my spirit was overwhelmed within me, thou knewest my path. In the way wherein I walk have they hidden a snare for me.

⁴Look on my right hand, and see; for there is no man that knoweth me: refuge hath failed me; no man careth for my soul.

⁵I cried unto thee, O LORD; I said, Thou art my refuge, my portion in the land of the living.

⁶Attend unto my cry; for I am brought very low: deliver me from my persecutors; for they are stronger than I.

⁷Bring my soul out of prison, that I may give thanks unto thy name: the righteous shall compass me about; for thou shalt deal bountifully with me.