Psalms 140

Refuge from the Wicked

4 passages

Overview

Hemmed in by enemies who plot violence, spread venomous deceit, and lay hidden traps, the psalmist cries to God for deliverance, professes covenantal allegiance, entrusts all judgment to divine justice, and closes in confident praise, assured that the Lord defends the afflicted and that the righteous will dwell in his presence.

Passages

1–5Cry for Deliverance from Wicked Enemies 6–7My God, My Strength: A Profession of Absolute Trust 8–11The Righteous Cry Against Evil: Imprecation, Justice, and Trust in God 12–13The Lord Pleads the Cause of the Poor

Study Resources

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Psalms 140

¹For the Chief Musician. A Psalm by David. Deliver me, Yahweh, from evil men. Preserve me from violent men:

²those who devise mischief in their hearts. They continually gather themselves together for war.

³They have sharpened their tongues like a serpent. Viper’s poison is under their lips. Selah.

⁴Yahweh, keep me from the hands of the wicked. Preserve me from the violent men who have determined to trip my feet.

⁵The proud have hidden a snare for me, they have spread the cords of a net by the path. They have set traps for me. Selah.

⁶I said to Yahweh, “You are my God.” Listen to the cry of my petitions, Yahweh.

⁷Yahweh, the Lord, the strength of my salvation, you have covered my head in the day of battle.

⁸Yahweh, don’t grant the desires of the wicked. Don’t let their evil plans succeed, or they will become proud. Selah.

⁹As for the head of those who surround me, let the mischief of their own lips cover them.

¹⁰Let burning coals fall on them. Let them be thrown into the fire, into miry pits, from where they never rise.

¹¹An evil speaker won’t be established in the earth. Evil will hunt the violent man to overthrow him.

¹²I know that Yahweh will maintain the cause of the afflicted, and justice for the needy.

¹³Surely the righteous will give thanks to your name. The upright will dwell in your presence.

Psalms 139 Psalms 141