Psalms 140

1 To the chief music-maker. A Psalm. Of David. O Lord, take me out of the power of the evil man; keep me safe 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 For their hearts are full of evil designs; and they are ever making ready causes of war.

They are always planning to do evil things and they are always inciting/urging people to start quarrels.

3 Their tongues are sharp like the tongue of a snake; the poison of snakes 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 O Lord, take me out of the hands of sinners; keep me safe from the violent man: for they are designing my downfall.

Yahweh, protect me from the power [MTY] of wicked [people]. Keep me safe from violent men who plan to destroy me [SYN].

5 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)

[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 have said to the Lord, You are my God: give ear, O Lord, to the voice of my prayer.

I say to you, “Yahweh, you are my God;” [so] listen to me while I cry out to you to help me.

7 O Lord God, the strength of my salvation, you have been a cover over my head in the day of the fight.

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 O Lord, give not the wrongdoer his desire; give him no help in his evil designs, or he may be uplifted in pride. (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 those who come round me, let their heads be covered by the evil of their lips.

[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 flames come down on them: let them be put into the fire, and into deep waters, so that they may not get up again.

Cause burning coals to fall on their [heads]! Cause them to be thrown into deep pits, from which they cannot climb out!

11 Let not a man of evil tongue be safe on earth: let destruction overtake the violent man with blow on blow.

Do not allow those who slander others to succeed; cause evil things to happen to violent men and destroy them!

12 I am certain that the Lord will take care of the cause of the poor, and of the rights of those who are troubled.

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 Truly, the upright will give praise to your name: the holy will have a place in your house.

Righteous [people] will surely thank you [MTY], and they will live (in your presence/with you).