Part 390 (2/2)

139:5. Keep me, O Lord, from the hand of the wicked: and from unjust men deliver me. Who have proposed to supplant my steps:

139:6. The proud have hidden a net for me. And they have stretched out cords for a snare: they have laid for me a stumblingblock by the wayside.

139:7. I said to the Lord: Thou art my G.o.d: hear, O Lord, the voice of my supplication.

139:8. O Lord, Lord, the strength of my salvation: thou hast overshadowed my head in the day of battle.

139:9. Give me not up, O Lord, from my desire to the wicked: they have plotted against me; do not thou forsake me, lest they should triumph.

139:10. The head of them compa.s.sing me about: the labour of their lips shall overwhelm them.

139:11. Burning coals shall fall upon them; thou wilt cast them down into the fire: in miseries they shall not be able to stand.

139:12. A man full of tongue shall not be established in the earth: evil shall catch the unjust man unto destruction.

139:13. I know that the Lord will do justice to the needy, and will revenge the poor.

139:14. But as for the just, they shall give glory to thy name: and the upright shall dwell with thy countenance.

Psalms Chapter 140

Domine, clamavi.

A prayer against sinful words, and deceitful flatterers.

A psalm of David.

140:1. I have cried to thee, O Lord, hear me: hearken to my voice, when I cry to thee.

140:2. Let my prayer be directed as incense in thy sight; the lifting up of my hands, as evening sacrifice.

140:3. Set a watch, O Lord, before my mouth: and a door round about my lips.

140:4. 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.

140:5. 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:

Let not the oil of the sinner, etc... That is, the flattery, or deceitful praise.-Ibid. For my prayer, etc... So far from coveting their praises, who are never well pleased but with things that are evil; I shall continually pray to be preserved from such things as they are delighted with.

140:6. Their judges falling upon the rock have been swallowed up. They shall hear my words, for they have prevailed:

Their judges, etc... Their rulers, or chiefs, quickly vanish and perish, like s.h.i.+ps dashed against the rocks, and swallowed up by the waves. Let them then hear my words, for they are powerful and will prevail; or, as it is in the Hebrew, for they are sweet.

140:7. As when the thickness of the earth is broken up upon the ground: Our bones are scattered by the side of h.e.l.l.

140:8. But to thee, O Lord, Lord, are my eyes: in thee have I put my trust, take not away my soul.

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