David
Psalm 140
To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David.
Scripture (KJV)
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, whence 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.
Summary
Psalm 140 is a lament of David against violent and deceitful enemies. He cries for deliverance from those who imagine mischief in their hearts, sharpen their tongues like serpents, and hide snares, cords, and nets along his path. David turns his fear into prayer: "Thou art my God: hear the voice of my supplications." He remembers that God is the strength of his salvation and the One who covered his head in the day of battle. The psalm then asks God to deny the wicked their desires, to let the mischief of their own lips fall back on their heads, and to let burning coals and deep pits overtake them—language that entrusts justice to God rather than taking vengeance into one’s own hands.
The closing verses express confidence: the Lord will maintain the cause of the afflicted and the right of the poor; the righteous will give thanks to His name; the upright will dwell in His presence. The major themes are deliverance, justice, the power of words, divine protection, and the vindication of the poor. Practically, the psalm teaches that the believer may bring real enemies and real fear to a real God who defends the afflicted. The great lesson is that the cause of the poor is safe in the Lord’s hands, and the upright will dwell in His presence.
Key Themes
A Prayer from Psalm 140
Deliver me, O Lord, from the evil and violent man. Keep me from those who imagine mischief, sharpen their tongues like serpents, and hide snares along my path. You are my God; hear the voice of my supplications. You are the strength of my salvation, who has covered my head in the day of battle. Grant not the desires of the wicked; let their mischief fall back on their own heads. I know that You will maintain the cause of the afflicted and the right of the poor. Let me not take vengeance into my own hands, but entrust every enemy to Your righteous judgment. Make me one of the righteous who gives thanks to Your name, and one of the upright who dwells in Your presence. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Reflection Questions
- 1From what "violent man" or deceitful words do I need deliverance today?
- 2How can I entrust injustice to God rather than taking vengeance myself?
- 3What does it mean that God "maintains the cause of the afflicted"?
- 4How does dwelling in God’s presence change how I face my enemies?
Related Psalms
Psalm 141
“Lord, I cry unto thee: make haste unto me; give ear unto my voice, when I cry unto thee.”
Psalm 141 is an evening prayer of David, asking that his prayer be received as incense and the lifting of his hands as the evening sacrifice.
Read morePsalm 142
“I cried unto the Lord with my voice; with my voice unto the Lord did I make my supplication.”
Psalm 142 is a maskil of David, composed when he was hiding in a cave—likely during his flight from Saul.
Read morePsalm 64
“Hear my voice, O God, in my prayer: preserve my life from fear of the enemy.”
A prayer against secret schemers; God’s arrow will strike.
Read morePsalm 35
“Plead my cause, O Lord, with them that strive with me: fight against them that fight against me.”
A prayer for God to contend against unjust enemies and vindicate the righteous.
Read morePsalm 109
“Hold not thy peace, O God of my praise;”
Psalm 109 is an imprecatory psalm in which David, falsely accused and repaid evil for good, brings his anguish before the God of justice.
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