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Psalms 140:2

Psalms 140:3-1953 kjv — They have sharpened their tongues like a serpent; adders’ poison is under their lips. Selah. Keep me, O Lord, from the…

King James Version

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.

— Psalms 140:3-1953, King James Version

Read in Another Translation

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Psalms 140:3-1953 in Other Translations

6 versions All translations
  • ASV

    “They have sharpened their tongue like a serpent; Adders’ poison is under their lips. [Selah Keep me, O Jehovah, from the hands of the wicked; Preserve me from the violent man: Who have purposed to thrust aside my steps. 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 I said unto Jehovah, Thou art my God: Give ear unto the voice of my supplications, O Jehovah. O Jehovah the Lord, the strength of my salvation, Thou hast covered my head in the day of battle. Grant not, O Jehovah, the desires of the wicked; Further not his evil device, lest they exalt themselves. [Selah As for the head of those that compass me about, Let the mischief of their own lips cover them. Let burning coals fall upon them: Let them be cast into the fire, Into deep pits, whence they shall not rise. An evil speaker shall not be established in the earth: Evil shall hunt the violent man to overthrow him. I know that Jehovah will maintain the cause of the afflicted, And justice for the needy. Surely the righteous shall give thanks unto thy name: The upright shall dwell in thy presence. ”

  • WEB

    “They have sharpened their tongues like a serpent. Viper's poison is under their lips. Selah. Yahweh, keep me from the hands of the wicked. Preserve me from the violent men who have determined to trip my feet. The proud have hidden a snare for me, they have spread the cords of a net by the path. They have set traps for me. Selah. I said to Yahweh, "You are my God." Listen to the cry of my petitions, Yahweh. Yahweh, the Lord, the strength of my salvation, you have covered my head in the day of battle. Yahweh, don't grant the desires of the wicked. Don't let their evil plans succeed, or they will become proud. Selah. As for the head of those who surround me, let the mischief of their own lips cover them. Let burning coals fall on them. Let them be thrown into the fire, into miry pits, from where they never rise. An evil speaker won't be established in the earth. Evil will hunt the violent man to overthrow him. I know that Yahweh will maintain the cause of the afflicted, and justice for the needy. Surely the righteous will give thanks to your name. The upright will dwell in your presence. A Psalm by David.”

  • NET

    “Their tongues wound like a serpent; a viper’s venom is behind their lips.(Selah) O LORD, shelter me from the power of the wicked! Protect me from violent men, who plan to knock me over. Proud men hide a snare for me; evil men spread a net by the path; they set traps for me.(Selah) I say to the LORD,“You are my God.” O LORD, pay attention to my plea for mercy! O Sovereign LORD, my strong deliverer, you shield my head in the day of battle. O LORD, do not let the wicked have their way! Do not allow their plan to succeed when they attack!(Selah) As for the heads of those who surround me– may the harm done by their lips overwhelm them! May he rain down fiery coals upon them! May he throw them into the fire! From bottomless pits they will not escape. A slanderer will not endure on the earth; calamity will hunt down a violent man and strike him down. I know that the LORD defends the cause of the oppressed and vindicates the poor. Certainly the godly will give thanks to your name; the morally upright will live in your presence.”

  • DRB

    “Set a watch, O Lord, before my mouth: and a door round about my lips. Incline not my heart to evil words; to make excuses in sins. With men that work iniquity: and I will not communicate with the choicest of them. The just man shall correct me in mercy, and shall reprove me: but let not the oil of the sinner fatten my head. For my prayer shall still be against the things with which they are well pleased: Their judges falling upon the rock have been swallowed up. They shall hear my words, for they have prevailed: As when the thickness of the earth is broken up upon the ground: Our bones are scattered by the side of hell. But to thee, O Lord, Lord, are my eyes: in thee have I put my trust, take not away my soul. Keep me from the snare, which they have laid for me, and from the stumblingblocks of them that work iniquity. The wicked shall fall in his net: I am alone until I pass. ”

  • BBE

    “Their tongues are sharp like the tongue of a snake; the poison of snakes is under their lips. (Selah.) O Lord, take me out of the hands of sinners; keep me safe from the violent man: for they are designing my downfall. The men of pride have put secret cords for my feet; stretching nets in my way, so that they may take me with their tricks. (Selah.) I have said to the Lord, You are my God: give ear, O Lord, to the voice of my prayer. O Lord God, the strength of my salvation, you have been a cover over my head in the day of the fight. O Lord, give not the wrongdoer his desire; give him no help in his evil designs, or he may be uplifted in pride. (Selah.) As for those who come round me, let their heads be covered by the evil of their lips. Let burning flames come down on them: let them be put into the fire, and into deep waters, so that they may not get up again. Let not a man of evil tongue be safe on earth: let destruction overtake the violent man with blow on blow. I am certain that the Lord will take care of the cause of the poor, and of the rights of those who are troubled. Truly, the upright will give praise to your name: the holy will have a place in your house.”

  • KJVA

    “They have sharpened their tongues like a serpent; adders’ poison is under their lips. Selah. Keep me, O Lord, from the hands of the wicked; preserve me from the violent man; who have purposed to overthrow my goings. 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. I said unto the Lord, Thou art my God: hear the voice of my supplications, O Lord. O God the Lord, the strength of my salvation, thou hast covered my head in the day of battle. Grant not, O Lord, the desires of the wicked: further not his wicked device; lest they exalt themselves. Selah. As for the head of those that compass me about, let the mischief of their own lips cover them. Let burning coals fall upon them: let them be cast into the fire; into deep pits, that they rise not up again. Let not an evil speaker be established in the earth: evil shall hunt the violent man to overthrow him. I know that the Lord will maintain the cause of the afflicted, and the right of the poor. Surely the righteous shall give thanks unto thy name: the upright shall dwell in thy presence. ”

Psalms 140 — Context

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.

Psalms 140:3-1953 — Frequently Asked Questions

7 questions
What does Psalms 140:3-1953 say?
Psalms 140:3-1953 in the King James Version reads: “They have sharpened their tongues like a serpent; adders’ poison is under their lips. Selah. Keep me, O Lord, from the hands of the wicked; preserve me from the violent man; who have purposed to overthrow my goings. 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. I said unto the Lord, Thou art my God: hear the voice of my supplications, O Lord. O God the Lord, the strength of my salvation, thou hast covered my head in the day of battle. Grant not, O Lord, the desires of the wicked: further not his wicked device; lest they exalt themselves. Selah. As for the head of those that compass me about, let the mischief of their own lips cover them. Let burning coals fall upon them: let them be cast into the fire; into deep pits, that they rise not up again. Let not an evil speaker be established in the earth: evil shall hunt the violent man to overthrow him. I know that the Lord will maintain the cause of the afflicted, and the right of the poor. Surely the righteous shall give thanks unto thy name: the upright shall dwell in thy presence. ”
Where is Psalms 140:3-1953 in the Bible?
Psalms 140:3-1953 is found in the Old Testament, in the book of Psalms, chapter 140, verses 3–1953.
Who wrote Psalms?
Psalms is traditionally attributed to Multiple authors (David, Asaph, the sons of Korah, Solomon, Moses, others). Approximately 73 psalms are attributed to David; others to Asaph, the sons of Korah, Solomon, Moses, Heman, and Ethan; the remainder are anonymous. It was written c. 1410–430 BC.
What is the book of Psalms about?
The Psalms are the prayer book and hymnal of God's people, gathering a thousand years of inspired song — praise, lament, thanksgiving, confession, and royal and messianic worship. Every emotion of the believing heart finds a voice here, and every voice finds its center in Christ.
What are the major themes of Psalms?
Psalms explores themes including Praise, Lament, Trust, Messiah, Refuge, Kingship. These themes shape the meaning and context of Psalms 140:3-1953.
What translation should I read Psalms 140:3-1953 in?
Psalms 140:3-1953 is available on GodsGoodBook in the King James Version (KJV), American Standard Version (ASV), World English Bible (WEB), NET Bible, Young's Literal Translation, Darby Bible, Douay-Rheims Bible, and the Bible in Basic English. Each translation reflects different translation philosophies — use the translation picker on this page to compare them, or browse our full translations directory.
How can I memorize Psalms 140:3-1953?
Psalms 140:3-1953 reads (KJV): “They have sharpened their tongues like a serpent; adders’ poison is under their lips. Selah. Keep me, O Lord, from the hands of the wicked; preserve me from the violent man; who have purposed to overthrow my goings. 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. I said unto the Lord, Thou art my God: hear the voice of my supplications, O Lord. O God the Lord, the strength of my salvation, thou hast covered my head in the day of battle. Grant not, O Lord, the desires of the wicked: further not his wicked device; lest they exalt themselves. Selah. As for the head of those that compass me about, let the mischief of their own lips cover them. Let burning coals fall upon them: let them be cast into the fire; into deep pits, that they rise not up again. Let not an evil speaker be established in the earth: evil shall hunt the violent man to overthrow him. I know that the Lord will maintain the cause of the afflicted, and the right of the poor. Surely the righteous shall give thanks unto thy name: the upright shall dwell in thy presence. ” Read it aloud, break it into short phrases, repeat each phrase three times before adding the next, then put the phrases together. Reading it in multiple translations (above) often helps the meaning settle.
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