Psalms 140
1 “To the chief musician, a psalm of David.” Deliver me, O Lord, from an evil man; from a man of violence do thou keep me;
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 Who think over evil [resolves] in their heart, [who] every day are gathered 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 tongues like a serpent: the poison of the adder 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 Preserve me, O Lord, from the hands of the wicked, from the man of violence do thou keep me, who think of overthrowing 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 hidden a snare for me, and cords; they have spread a net by the side of [my] track; traps have they set 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 have said unto the Lord, Thou art my God: give ear, O Lord, to the voice of my supplications.
I say to you, “Yahweh, you are my God;” [so] listen to me while I cry out to you to help me.
7 O thou Eternal Lord, the strength of my salvation, thou hast covered my head on 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 Lord, the longings of the wicked; suffer not his wicked device to succeed: lest 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 heads of those that encompass me about, 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 be cast upon them: let them be thrown into the fire; into deep pits, that they rise not 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 the man of an [evil] tongue be established on the earth: may evil hunt down the violent man to his downfall.
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 procure right for the afflicted, [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 unto thy name: the upright shall dwell before thy presence.
Righteous [people] will surely thank you [MTY], and they will live (in your presence/with you).
