Psalm CXL.
1
From violent and ungodly men,
O Lord preserve my life:
That mischief in their hearts contrive,
And meet for war and strife.
2
Their tongue is like a serpents sting,
Some mischief still to work:
The deadly poison of the snake,
Within their lips doth lurk.
3
Lord keep me from those wicked hands,
And from the violent man:
Whose purpose is to overthrow
My goings, if he can.
4
The proud have hid a snare for me,
And nets before me laid:
But hear me, for thou art my God;
Thus to the Lord I said.
5
O God the Lord, Who art my strength,
And hast salvation wrought;
By whom my head protected was,
When I in battle fought.
6
Grant not the pray'rs of wicked men,
Nor let them have their will:
Lest their success should puff them up,
And make them prouder still.
7
Lord make their lips to be their snare,
That cruel plots devise:
Consume and cast them into pits,
That they may never rise.
8
Let them not prosper in the earth,
That in false tales delight:
Evil shall hunt the violent man,
And overthrow him quite.
9
But thou wilt plead the poor man's cause,
And wilt defend him well:
The upright then shall praise thy name,
And in thy presence dwell.
