RESCUE ME FROM EVILDOERS

 Psalm 140:1-13 / Keywords 140:12

I know that the LORD secures justice for the poor and upholds the cause of the needy.

 

Psalm 140[a]

For the director of music. A psalm of David.

140:1 Rescue me, Lord, from evildoers;

    protect me from the violent,

2 who devise evil plans in their hearts

    and stir up war every day.

3 They make their tongues as sharp as a serpent’s;

    the poison of vipers is on their lips.[b]

4 Keep me safe, Lord, from the hands of the wicked;

    protect me from the violent,

    who devise ways to trip my feet.

5 The arrogant have hidden a snare for me;

    they have spread out the cords of their net

    and have set traps for me along my path.

6 I say to the Lord, “You are my God.”

    Hear, Lord, my cry for mercy.

7 Sovereign Lord, my strong deliverer,

    you shield my head in the day of battle.

8 Do not grant the wicked their desires, Lord;

    do not let their plans succeed.

9 Those who surround me proudly rear their heads;

    may the mischief of their lips engulf them.

10 May burning coals fall on them;

    may they be thrown into the fire,

    into miry pits, never to rise.

11 May slanderers not be established in the land;

    may disaster hunt down the violent.

12 I know that the Lord secures justice for the poor

    and upholds the cause of the needy.

13 Surely the righteous will praise your name,

    and the upright will live in your presence.

Footnotes

a. Psalm 140:1 In Hebrew texts 140:1-13 is numbered 140:2-14.

b. Psalm 140:3 The Hebrew has Selah (a word of uncertain meaning) here and at the end of verses 5 and 8.

 

1. The Psalmist expresses to God the details of how the wicked are devising evil plans against him. In this world, there are people who devise and carry out violent plans to destroy others for their own gain (1-2), then cover it up with lies (3). We are shocked when we see this presence of such evil in the world, but it is real.

 

2. When we see that evil plans have been laid out against us, we can pray earnestly and see God as our deliverer and shield (7). We can also pray on behalf of others who are suffering due to evil attacks. It is right to pray that the plans of the wicked may not succeed (8). God’s justice returns the plans of evildoers back on their own heads (9-11). The Psalm ends with an expression of faith that God is a God of justice who fights for the cause of the needy (12-13).

 

Prayer Father, thank you that you are against wicked and evil plans. Help me to be spiritually awake and be a prayer warrior so that your justice may prevail. May your kingdom come.

One Word Lord, don’t let evil plans succeed