Psalms 140
1 To him that excelleth. A Psalme of David. Deliuer me, O Lord, from the euill man: preserue me from the cruel 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 Which imagine euill things in their heart, and make warre continually.
They are always planning to do evil things and they are always inciting/urging people to start quarrels.
3 They haue sharpened their tongues like a serpent: adders poyson is vnder 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 Keepe mee, O Lord, from the handes of the wicked: preserue mee from the cruell man, which purposeth to cause my steppes to slide.
Yahweh, protect me from the power [MTY] of wicked [people]. Keep me safe from violent men who plan to destroy me [SYN].
5 The proude haue layde a snare for me, and spred a nette with cordes in my pathway, and set grennes 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 Therefore I saide vnto the Lord, Thou art my God: heare, O Lord, the voyce of my prayers.
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 saluation, thou hast couered mine head in the day of battel.
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 Let not the wicked haue his desire, O Lord: performe not his wicked thought, least they be proude. (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 chiefe of them, that compasse me about, let the mischiefe of their owne lippes come vpon 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 coles fal vpon them: let him cast them into the fire, and into the deepe pits, that they rise not.
Cause burning coals to fall on their [heads]! Cause them to be thrown into deep pits, from which they cannot climb out!
11 For the backbiter shall not be established vpon the earth: euill shall hunt the cruell man to destruction.
Do not allow those who slander others to succeed; cause evil things to happen to violent men and destroy them!
12 I know that the Lord will auenge the afflicted, and iudge the poore.
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 prayse thy Name, and the iust shall dwell in thy presence.
Righteous [people] will surely thank you [MTY], and they will live (in your presence/with you).
