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.
For the end, a Psalm of David. Rescue me, O Lord, from the evil man; deliver me from the unjust man.
2 They are always planning to do evil things and they are always inciting/urging people to start quarrels.
Who have devised injustice in their hearts; all the day they prepared war.
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 tongue as [the tongue] of a serpent; the poison of asps is under their lips. (Pause)
4 Yahweh, protect me from the power [MTY] of wicked [people]. Keep me safe from violent men who plan to destroy me [SYN].
Keep me, O Lord, from the hand of the sinner; rescue me from unjust men; who have purposed to overthrow my goings.
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 proud have hid a snare for me, and have stretched out ropes [for] snares for my feet; they set a stumbling block for me near the path. (Pause)
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; listen, O Lord, to 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.
O Lord God, the strength of my salvation; you have screened my head in the day of battle.
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.
Deliver me not, O Lord, to the sinner, according to my desire: they have devised [mischief] against me; forsake me not, lest they should be exalted. (Pause)
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].
[As for] the head of them that compass me, the mischief of their lips shall cover them.
10 Cause burning coals to fall on their [heads]! Cause them to be thrown into deep pits, from which they cannot climb out!
Coals of fire shall fall upon them on the earth; and you shall cast them down in afflictions: they shall not bear up [under them].
11 Do not allow those who slander others to succeed; cause evil things to happen to violent men and destroy them!
A talkative man shall not prosper on the earth: evils shall hunt the unrighteous man to destruction.
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 maintain the cause of the poor, and the right of the needy ones.
13 Righteous [people] will surely thank you [MTY], and they will live (in your presence/with you).
Surely the righteous shall give thanks to your name: the upright shall dwell in your presence.
