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 leader of the music. A psalm of David.” Deliver me, O LORD! from the evil man, Save me from the man of violence,
2 They are always planning to do evil things and they are always inciting/urging people to start quarrels.
Who meditate mischief in their heart, And daily stir up 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 sharpen their tongues like a serpent; The poison of the adder 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].
Defend me, O LORD! from the hands of the wicked, Preserve me from the man of violence, Who have purposed to cause my fall! (Pause)
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 hidden snares and cords for me; They have spread a net by the way-side; They have set traps for me.
6 I say to you, “Yahweh, you are my God;” [so] listen to me while I cry out to you to help me.
I say to Jehovah, Thou art my God; Hear, O Jehovah! 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.
The Lord Jehovah is my saving strength: Thou shelterest 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.
Grant not, O LORD! the desires of the wicked; Let not their devices prosper; Let them not exalt themselves!
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 heads of those who encompass me, Let the mischief of their own lips 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!
Let burning coals fall upon them; May they be cast into the fire, And into deep waters from which they shall not arise!
11 Do not allow those who slander others to succeed; cause evil things to happen to violent men and destroy them!
The slanderer shall not be established upon the earth; Evil shall pursue the violent 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 afflicted, And the right of the poor.
13 Righteous [people] will surely thank you [MTY], and they will live (in your presence/with you).
Yea, the righteous shall praise thy name; The upright shall dwell in thy presence!
