Psalms 140
1 For the Chief Musician. A Psalm by David. Deliver me, Yahweh, from evil men. Preserve me from violent men:
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 those who devise mischief in their hearts. They continually gather themselves together for war.
They are always planning to do evil things and they are always inciting/urging people to start quarrels.
3 They have sharpened their tongues like a serpent. Viper’s poison 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 Yahweh, keep me from the hands of the wicked. Preserve me from the violent men who have determined to trip my feet.
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 have hidden a snare for me, they have spread the cords of a net by the path. They have set traps 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 said to Yahweh, “You are my God.” Listen to the cry of my petitions, Yahweh.
I say to you, “Yahweh, you are my God;” [so] listen to me while I cry out to you to help me.
7 Yahweh, the Lord, the strength of my salvation, you have covered my head in the day of battle.
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, don’t grant the desires of the wicked. Don’t let their evil plans succeed, or they will become proud. (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 As for the head of those who surround me, let the mischief of their own lips cover 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 Let burning coals fall on them. Let them be thrown into the fire, into miry pits, from where they never rise.
Cause burning coals to fall on their [heads]! Cause them to be thrown into deep pits, from which they cannot climb out!
11 An evil speaker won’t be established in the earth. Evil will hunt the violent man to overthrow him.
Do not allow those who slander others to succeed; cause evil things to happen to violent men and destroy them!
12 I know that Yahweh will maintain the cause of the afflicted, and justice for 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 Surely the righteous will give thanks to your name. The upright will dwell in your presence.
Righteous [people] will surely thank you [MTY], and they will live (in your presence/with you).
