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.

Unto the end. A Psalm of David. Rescue me, O Lord, from the evil man. Rescue me from the iniquitous leader.

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

Those who have devised iniquities in their hearts: all day long they constructed conflicts.

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.

They have sharpened their tongues like a serpent. The venom of asps is under their lips.

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

Preserve me, O Lord, from the hand of the sinner, and rescue me from men of iniquity. They have decided to supplant my steps.

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.

The arrogant have hidden a snare for me. And they have stretched out cords for a snare. They have placed a stumbling block for me near the road.

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

I said to the Lord: You are my God. O Lord, heed the voice of my supplication.

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.

Lord, O Lord, the strength of my salvation: you have overshadowed my head in the day of war.

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.

O Lord, do not hand me over to the sinner by my desire. They have plotted against me. Do not abandon me, lest they should triumph.

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].

The head of those who encompass me, the labor of their lips, will overwhelm them.

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

Burning coals will fall upon them. You will cast them down into the fire, into miseries that they will not be able to withstand.

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

A talkative man will not be guided aright upon the earth. Evils will drag the unjust man unto utter ruin.

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.

I know that the Lord will accomplish justice for the needy and vindication for the poor.

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

So then, truly, the just will confess your name, and the upright will dwell with your countenance.