Psalms

Chapter 140

Rescue Me from Evil Men

David asks the LORD to rescue him from violent men who plot evil, stir up war, and set traps for his steps with words as poisonous as snakes. He then confesses the LORD as his God and the strength of his salvation, asks him to frustrate the desires of the wicked and turn their violence back on their own heads, and closes in confidence that the LORD will uphold justice for the poor so that the righteous may dwell in his presence.

After the inward searching and moral seriousness of Psalm 139, Psalm 140 turns outward into direct conflict with hostile people. It fits Book V by showing that the searched heart does not become passive; it still cries for protection, entrusts judgment to God, and rests in the assurance that he defends the afflicted and keeps the upright near him.

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Psalms 140

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vv. 1-13

Rescue Me from Evil Men

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F¹or the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. ²who devise evil in their hearts ³They sharpen their tongues like snakes; ⁴Guard me, O LORD, ⁵The proud hide a snare for me;

⁶I say to the LORD, “You are my God.” ⁷O GOD the Lord, the strength of my salvation, ⁸Grant not, O LORD, the desires of the wicked;

⁹May the heads of those who surround me ¹⁰May burning coals fall on them; ¹¹May no slanderer be established in the land;

¹²I know that the LORD upholds justice for the poor ¹³Surely the righteous will praise Your name;

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01vv. 1-13Rescue Me from Evil MenDavid asks to be delivered from evil and violent men who devise trouble, use poisonous speech, and hide snares for him along the path. He declares the LORD to be his God and the strength of his salvation, asks that the wicked not succeed and that their own evil overtake them, and ends by affirming that the LORD upholds justice for the poor and that the upright will dwell in his presence.