Psalm 140:1-13
Rescue Me from Evil Men
Read the passage
1For the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. Rescue me, O LORD, from evil men. Protect me from men of violence,
2who devise evil in their hearts and stir up war all day long.
3They sharpen their tongues like snakes; the venom of vipers is on their lips. Selah
4Guard me, O LORD, from the hands of the wicked. Keep me safe from men of violence who scheme to make me stumble.
5The proud hide a snare for me; the cords of their net are spread along the path, and lures are set out for me. Selah
6I say to the LORD, “You are my God.” Hear, O LORD, my cry for help.
7O GOD the Lord, the strength of my salvation, You shield my head in the day of battle.
8Grant not, O LORD, the desires of the wicked; do not promote their evil plans, lest they be exalted. Selah
9May the heads of those who surround me be covered in the trouble their lips have caused.
10May burning coals fall on them; may they be thrown into the fire, into the miry pits, never to rise again.
11May no slanderer be established in the land; may calamity hunt down the man of violence.
12I know that the LORD upholds justice for the poor and defends the cause of the needy.
13Surely the righteous will praise Your name; the upright will dwell in Your presence.
Berean Standard Bible
Read aloud
David asks the LORD to rescue him from evil men who devise wrongdoing, stir up war, and sharpen their tongues like snakes. They hide traps and cords along the path. The danger is organized, not imagined.
David calls the LORD his God and the strength of his salvation, the One who shields his head in battle. He asks God to frustrate the wicked’s plans. His petitions are severe: may their own speech bring trouble on them, may burning coals fall on them, and may violent men be overtaken by calamity. He wants slander and violence to lose their hold on the land.
The closing confidence is that the LORD upholds the cause of the afflicted and secures justice for the poor. The righteous will praise God's name and dwell in His presence.
Questions
1 What do the evil men devise?
AnswerThey devise wrongdoing, stir up war, and use sharp speech and hidden traps.
2 What does David ask God to prevent?
AnswerHe asks God not to grant the wicked's desires or let their plans succeed.
3 Whose cause does God uphold?
AnswerHe upholds the cause of the afflicted and secures justice for the poor.
4 What will the righteous do?
AnswerThey will praise God's name and dwell in His presence.
What This Means for Us
When danger is organized, individual courage may not be enough. Seek protection, allies, and accountable authorities while praying for God to expose the traps.
The final hope gives justice a human direction: the afflicted and poor should become safer, not merely the powerful more punished.
Prayer
LORD, rescue people from organized violence and hidden traps. Uphold the afflicted, secure justice for the poor, and give victims safe allies and truthful authorities. Amen.
Your reading
Keep your place.
Save this passage to your private reading history.
Sign in to save your reading