Psalms 140
1 To the Chief Musician. A Melody of David. Rescue me, O Yahweh, from the men of mischief, From the men of violence, wilt thou preserve 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 have devised mischiefs in their [heart], Every day, do they stir up wars:
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, —The poison of the asp, 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 Yahweh, from the hands of the lawless one, From the man of violence, wilt thou preserve me, —who have devised, to thrust at 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, have they spread as a net beside the track, Snares, 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 Yahweh, My GOD, thou art! Give ear, O Yahweh, unto 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 Yahweh, My Lord, my saving strength, thou hast screened 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 Do not grant, O Yahweh, the desires of the lawless one, his device, do not promote, They would 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 them who surround me, Let the mischief of their 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 May there be dropped on them live coals, —Into the fire, may they be let fall, into watery pits [from which] 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 As for the slanderer, let him not be established in the earth, —As for the man of wrongful violence, let misfortune hunt him with thrust upon thrust.
Do not allow those who slander others to succeed; cause evil things to happen to violent men and destroy them!
12 I know that Yahweh will execute, the right of the oppressed one, the vindication of 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).
