Psalms 140
1 To the Overseer. — A Psalm of David. Deliver me, O Jehovah, from an evil man, From one of violence Thou keepest 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 evils in the heart, All the day they assemble [for] wars.
They are always planning to do evil things and they are always inciting/urging people to start quarrels.
3 They sharpened their tongue as a serpent, Poison of an adder [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 Preserve me, Jehovah, from the hands of the wicked, From one of violence Thou keepest me, Who have devised to overthrow 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 hid a snare for me — and cords, They spread a net by the side of the path, Snares they have 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 to Jehovah, 'My God [art] Thou, Hear, Jehovah, 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 Jehovah, my Lord, strength of my salvation, Thou hast covered my head in the day of armour.
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 Grant not, O Jehovah, the desires of the wicked, His wicked device bring not forth, They are high. (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 The chief of my surrounders, The perverseness of their lips covereth 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 They cause to fall on themselves burning coals, Into fire He doth cast them, Into deep pits — they arise not.
Cause burning coals to fall on their [heads]! Cause them to be thrown into deep pits, from which they cannot climb out!
11 A talkative man is not established in the earth, One of violence — evil hunteth to overflowing.
Do not allow those who slander others to succeed; cause evil things to happen to violent men and destroy them!
12 I have known that Jehovah doth execute The judgment of the afflicted, The judgment 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 Only — the righteous give thanks to Thy name, The upright do dwell with Thy presence!
Righteous [people] will surely thank you [MTY], and they will live (in your presence/with you).
