Psalms 140

1 Rescue [deliver, save] me, O LORD [Yehovah, the divine Savior], from evil [wicked, cruel] men [individuals, people]. Protect [preserve, keep safe] me from men [people, individuals] of violence [cruelty, aggression], word study 2 who devise [plan and plot, imagine] evil [bad, morally wrong] in their hearts [minds, inner beings] and stir up [incite, assemble for] war [conflict, violence] all day long [continually, every day]. word study 3 They sharpen [hone, make sharp] their tongues [language, words] like snakes [serpents, venomous creatures]; the venom [poison, destructive power] of vipers [adders, deadly snakes] is on [under, beneath] their lips [words, speech]. Selah [pause, reflect] word study 4 Guard me, O LORD [my Rock, my Redeemer], from the hands [power, control] of the wicked [those who oppose God]. Keep me safe [preserve, protect] from men of violence [the violent man, one who schemes to harm] who scheme [purpose, plan] to make me stumble [overthrow my goings, trip my feet]. word study 5 The proud [arrogant, haughty] hide a snare [trap, net] for me; the cords [ropes, strings] of their net [trap, snare] are spread [stretched, laid] along the path [way, road], and lures [traps, gins] are set out [laid, placed] for me [to catch, ensnare me]. Selah word study 6 I say to the LORD [my Redeemer, Yehovah], “You are my God [my Savior, my Rock].” Hear [give ear, listen], O LORD [my Master, my King], my cry [voice of my supplications, petition] for help [my plea, my prayer]. word study 7 O GOD [the supreme Being, Yehovah] the Lord [the Lord of all], the strength [power, might] of my salvation [deliverance, rescue], You [as my heavenly Father] shield [cover, protect] my head [mind, thoughts] in the day [time, season] of battle [war, conflict, spiritual warfare]. word study 8 Grant not, O [Adonay, Lord of all] LORD [Yehovah, the covenant God], the desires [wicked longings, evil plans] of the wicked; do not promote [further, bring to success] their evil [wicked, sinful] plans, lest [so that they do not, in order that they will not] they be exalted [become proud, lifted up in pride]. Selah word study 9 May the heads [chiefs, leaders] of those who surround [compass, encircle] me be covered [overwhelmed, enveloped] in the trouble [mischief, evil] their lips [words, speech] have caused [brought about, spoken against me]. word study 10 May burning coals [fiery embers, glowing sparks] fall on them; may they be thrown into the fire [deep pits, bottomless abyss], into the miry pits [deep waters, muddy trenches], never to rise again [from which they shall not rise, without escape]. word study 11 May no [evil, malicious] slanderer [one who spreads false and damaging information] be established [firmly rooted, stable] in the land; may calamity [disaster, evil] hunt down [pursue, overtake] the man of violence [one who uses physical force to harm others, the violent man]. word study 12 I know that the LORD [Yehovah, the covenant God] upholds [maintains, executes] justice [righteous judgment, fairness] for the poor [needy, afflicted] and defends [maintains, supports] the cause [right, justice] of the needy [oppressed, poor]. word study 13 Surely [without a doubt, certainly] the righteous [those who live right, upright] will praise [give thanks to, glorify] Your name [Your character, reputation]; the upright [those who are honest, just] will dwell [live, reside] in Your presence [before You, with You]. word study