Psalms 140

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

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

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

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

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

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