Psalm CXL

Lord, from perverse and evil men
[Do thou] grant me deliverance;
And let me be by thee preserv'd
From [cruel] men of violence.

Who in their hearts continually
Contriving [some great] mischief are;
And altogether are combin'd
[In Plots] for hurtfulness and war.

Like Serpents their pernicious tongues
[Have they] with venom sharpened;
The Adder's poyson and his sting
Under their [wicked] lips is bred.

Keep me, O Lord, from wicked hands,
And from the [envious] violent man,
Who have resolv'd to overthrow
My [blameless] goings if they can.

The proud for me have hid a snare,
[With cords] and they have spread a net,
By the way side, where I must go,
They [traps and] grins for me have set.

I went unto the Lord, and said,
Thou art my God [and help] alone;
Lord hear my voice, in mercy grant
My [humble] supplication.

O God, thou only art the strength
Which ever [safely] keepeth me;
My head in days of bloody war
Was covered [and sav'd] by thee.

The wicked mens hurtful desires,
Lord, prosper not, nor [ever] grant;
And further not their bad designs.
Lest of themselves they [proudly] vaunt.

As for the leading head of those
That [fiercely] compass me about,
Let the mischief of their own lips
Cover [them all] and find them out.

Let burning coals upon them fall,
Cast them into the [wasting] fire;
Into deep pits, that they rise not
[Again] to pursue their desire.

Let not the false ill speaker be
[On earth] fixt in prosperity;
Let evil hunting violent men
[Reach and] o'rethrow them utterly.

I know that God will yet maintain
The cause of men [that are] distrest;
And will defend the poor mens right,
And such as are [by men] opprest.

Surely the just shall to thy name
Give thanks, and [of thy] mercies tell;
And men of upright hearts and lives
Shall [ever] in thy presence dwell.