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For the choirmaster. A Psalm of David.
(140-2) Deliver me, O LORD, from evil men; preserve me from men of violence,
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(140-3) who devise evil in their hearts, and stir up strife continually!
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(140-4) They sharpen their tongues like a serpent; the poison of a viper is under their lips. Selah
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(140-5) Keep me, O LORD, from the hands of the wicked; preserve me from men of violence, who purpose to thrust me down.
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(140-6) The proud have hidden a snare for me, and they have spread cords as a net; by the wayside they have set traps for me. Selah
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(140-7) I said to the LORD, “You are my God; give ear, O LORD, to the voice of my supplications!”
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(140-8) O GOD, the Lord, the strength of my salvation, you have covered my head in the day of battle.
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(140-9) O LORD, do not grant the desires of the wicked; do not further his evil device. Selah
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(140-10) As for the heads of those who surround me, let the mischief of their own lips cover them!
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(140-11) Let burning coals fall upon them! Let them be cast into the fire, into deep pits, so that they rise no more!
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(140-12) A slanderer shall not be established in the land; evil shall hunt the violent man to overthrow him.
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(140-13) I know that the LORD will maintain the cause of the afflicted, and will execute justice for the needy.
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(140-14) Surely the righteous shall give thanks to your name; the upright shall dwell in your presence.
🕊️🙏📖 Summary of Psalm 140 – “A Prayer for Protection from Evil People”
Psalm 140 is David’s prayerful cry to the Lord for protection from evil people who plot evil, slander, and use violence.
This psalm shows the danger of crafty enemies, while also showing David’s trust in God’s justice and defense.
📌 1. A Plea for Protection (verses 1–3)
➡️ “Deliver me, O LORD, from evil men…”
➡️ “Who devise evil in the heart… are ever ready for war.”
➡️ “They sharpen their tongues like a serpent…”
🎯 Danger often comes not only through weapons, but through words, slander, and evil intent.
📌 2. A Cry for Protection from Traps (verses 4–5)
➡️ “Keep me, O LORD, from the hands of the wicked…”
➡️ “The proud hide a snare…”
➡️ “They spread cords as a net.”
🎯 Enemies do not always attack openly — they are crafty and set traps in secret.
📌 3. God Hears Prayer and Defends (verses 6–8)
➡️ “You are my God; give ear…”
➡️ “The strength of my salvation, you have covered my head…”
➡️ “Do not grant the desires of the wicked!”
🎯 In the midst of threat, the Lord is a shield and a faithful hearer of prayer.
📌 4. A Cry for Justice upon Enemies (verses 9–11)
➡️ “Let burning coals fall upon them…”
➡️ “Let not the slanderer be established in the land.”
➡️ David’s prayer reflects a longing for God’s justice, not personal revenge.
🎯 Under pressure, David does not repay evil — he leaves judgment in God’s hands.
📌 5. Confidence in God’s Justice (verses 12–13)
➡️ “The LORD will maintain the cause of the afflicted…”
➡️ “The righteous shall give thanks to your name; the upright shall dwell in your presence.”
🎯 The end of all things is this: the Lord will prevail, and the righteous will stand.
📖 Main Lessons
- Evil people work through slander, violence, and hidden traps
- Prayer is the chief protection for believers
- The Lord is a shield and helper in trouble
- God’s justice will be established, though not always at once
- Leave your enemies to the Lord — do not repay with your own hand
✨ Spiritual Meaning (New Testament)
📖 Romans 12:19
“Vengeance is mine, saith the Lord…”
➡️ As with David, believers are called to trust in God’s justice.
📖 Ephesians 6:11
“Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand…”
➡️ Our enemy is often unseen — as in the traps and deceit of Psalm 140.
📖 James 3:6
“The tongue is a fire…”
➡️ An evil tongue is like the serpent’s tongue in this psalm — dangerous and deadly.
📖 1 Peter 3:12
“The eyes of the Lord are over the righteous… but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil.”
➡️ The Lord hears the prayer of the righteous and opposes evil.
🕊️ “Deliver me, O LORD, from evil men.” – Psalm 140:1
🕊️ “The strength of my salvation, you have covered my head.” – Psalm 140:7
🕊️ “The LORD will maintain the cause of the afflicted.” – Psalm 140:12
