Psalms 140 -- Old Testament -- Gospel Daily

Psalms

Chapter 140

Deliverance from Violent Enemies

The psalmist petitions the Lord to deliver him from evil and violent men who plot mischiefs in their hearts and continually gather for war. These enemies have sharpened their tongues like serpents with adder's poison beneath their lips, hidden snares and nets, and set traps for his goings. He appeals to God as his strength and salvation, asking the Lord not to grant the desires of the wicked but instead to turn their own mischiefs upon them. The psalmist expresses confidence that the Lord will maintain the cause of the afflicted and the right of the poor, and that the righteous shall give thanks and dwell in God's presence.

Deliverance from evilViolent enemiesGod's protectionPrayer for judgment

¹Deliver me, O LORD, from the evil man: preserve me from the violent man;

²Which imagine mischiefs in their heart; continually are they gathered together for war.

³They have sharpened their tongues like a serpent; adders' poison is under their lips. Selah.

⁴Keep me, O LORD, from the hands of the wicked; preserve me from the violent man; who have purposed to overthrow my goings.

⁵The proud have hid a snare for me, and cords; they have spread a net by the wayside; they have set gins for me. Selah.

⁶I said unto the LORD, Thou art my God: hear the voice of my supplications, O LORD.

⁷O God the Lord, the strength of my salvation, thou hast covered my head in the day of battle.

⁸Grant not, O LORD, the desires of the wicked: further not his wicked device; lest they exalt themselves. Selah.

⁹As for the head of those that compass me about, let the mischief of their own lips cover them.

¹⁰Let burning coals fall upon them: let them be cast into the fire; into deep pits, that they rise not up again.

¹¹Let not an evil speaker be established in the earth: evil shall hunt the violent man to overthrow him.

¹²I know that the LORD will maintain the cause of the afflicted, and the right of the poor.

¹³Surely the righteous shall give thanks unto thy name: the upright shall dwell in thy presence.