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. A Psalm of David. Deliver me, O LORD, from the evil man; preserve me from the violent man;

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

Who devise evil things in their heart; every day do they stir up wars.

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 like a serpent; vipers' venom is under their lips. (Selah)

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 hands of the wicked; preserve me from the violent man; who have purposed to make my steps slip.

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 cords; they have spread a net by the wayside; they have set gins for me. (Selah)

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

I have said unto the LORD: 'Thou art my God'; give ear, O LORD, unto the voice of my supplications.

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 GOD the Lord, the strength of my salvation, who hast 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.

Grant not, O LORD, the desires of the wicked; further not his evil device, so that they exalt themselves. (Selah)

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 those that compass me about, 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; let them be cast into the fire, into deep pits, that they rise not up again.

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

A slanderer shall not be established in the earth; the violent and evil man shall be hunted with thrust upon thrust.

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.

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

Surely the righteous shall give thanks unto Thy name; the upright shall dwell in Thy presence.