Psalms 140
1 Deliver me, O Jehovah, from the evil man. Preserve me from the violent man,
Yahweh, rescue/save me from [being attacked by] evil men; and [even more], (keep me safe/protect me) from being attacked by violent people.
2 and men who devise mischievous things in their heart. They gather themselves continually together for war.
They are always planning to do evil things and they are always inciting/urging people to start quarrels.
3 They have sharpened their tongue like a serpent. Adders' poison is under their lips. (Selah)
By what they say [MTY] [they injure people like] poisonous snakes do; the words that they speak [MTY] [can kill people as easily as] cobras/vipers do.
4 Keep me, O Jehovah, from the hands of a wicked man. Preserve me from violent men, who have purposed to thrust aside my steps.
Yahweh, protect me from the power [MTY] of wicked [people]. Keep me safe from violent men who plan to destroy me [SYN].
5 The proud have hid a snare for me, and cords. They have spread a net by the wayside. They have set snares for me. (Selah)
[It is as though] proud people have set a trap for me; [it is as though] they have spread their nets to catch me; [it is as though] they have put those things along the road to catch/seize me.
6 I said to Jehovah, Thou are my God. Give ear to the voice of my supplications, O Jehovah.
I say to you, “Yahweh, you are my God;” [so] listen to me while I cry out to you to help me.
7 O Jehovah the Lord, the strength of my salvation, thou have covered my head in the day of battle.
Yahweh, my Lord, you are the one who defends me strongly; you have [protected me] during battles [MET] [as though you had put a helmet on] my head.
8 Grant not, O Jehovah, the desires of the wicked man. Do not further his evil device. They exalt themselves. (Selah)
Yahweh, do allow wicked [people] to do the things that they desire, and do not allow them to do the [evil things that] they plan to do.
9 As for the head of those who encompass me around, let the mischief of their own lips cover them.
[Do not allow] my enemies to (become proud/defeat me); cause the evil things that they say [MTY] they will do to me to happen to them, [instead].
10 Let burning coals fall upon them. Let them be cast into the fire, into deep pits, from where they shall not rise.
Cause burning coals to fall on their [heads]! Cause them to be thrown into deep pits, from which they cannot climb out!
11 An evil speaker shall not be established in the earth. Evil shall hunt the violent man to overthrow him.
Do not allow those who slander others to succeed; cause evil things to happen to violent men and destroy them!
12 I know that Jehovah will maintain the cause of the afflicted man, and justice for the needy.
Yahweh, I know that you defend those who are oppressed, and that you do what is just/fair for those who are needy/poor.
13 Surely the righteous shall give thanks to thy name. The upright shall dwell in thy presence.
Righteous [people] will surely thank you [MTY], and they will live (in your presence/with you).
