Psalms 140: Deliver Me From Violence
A prayer for rescue from cruel and scheming enemies, confident that the Lord defends the afflicted and the upright will dwell in his presence.
Psalms 140 (WEB)
1 Deliver me, Yahweh, from the evil man. Preserve me from the violent man;
2 those who devise mischief in their hearts. They continually gather themselves together for war.
3 They have sharpened their tongues like a serpent. Viper’s poison is under their lips. Selah.
4 Yahweh, keep me from the hands of the wicked. Preserve me from the violent men who have determined to trip my feet.
5 The 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.
6 I said to Yahweh, “You are my God.” Listen to the cry of my petitions, Yahweh.
7 Yahweh, the Lord, the strength of my salvation, you have covered my head in the day of battle.
8 Yahweh, don’t grant the desires of the wicked. Don’t let their evil plans succeed, or they will become proud. Selah.
9 As for the head of those who surround me, let the mischief of their own lips cover them.
10 Let burning coals fall on them. Let them be thrown into the fire, into miry pits, from where they never rise.
11 An evil speaker won’t be established in the earth. Evil will hunt the violent man to overthrow him.
12 I know that Yahweh will maintain the cause of the afflicted, and justice for the needy.
13 Surely the righteous will give thanks to your name. The upright will dwell in your presence.
Psalms 140 (KJV)
1 Deliver me, O Lord, from the evil man: preserve me from the violent man;
2 Which imagine mischiefs in their heart; continually are they gathered together for war.
3 They have sharpened their tongues like a serpent; adders’ poison is under their lips. Selah.
4 Keep me, O Lord, from the hands of the wicked; preserve me from the violent man; who have purposed to overthrow my goings.
5 The proud have hid a snare for me, and cords; they have spread a net by the wayside; they have set gins for me. Selah.
6 I said unto the Lord, Thou art my God: hear the voice of my supplications, O Lord.
7 O God the Lord, the strength of my salvation, thou hast covered my head in the day of battle.
8 Grant not, O Lord, the desires of the wicked: further not his wicked device; lest they exalt themselves. Selah.
9 As for the head of those that compass me about, let the mischief of their own lips cover them.
10 Let burning coals fall upon them: let them be cast into the fire; into deep pits, that they rise not up again.
11 Let not an evil speaker be established in the earth: evil shall hunt the violent man to overthrow him.
12 I know that the Lord will maintain the cause of the afflicted, and the right of the poor.
13 Surely the righteous shall give thanks unto thy name: the upright shall dwell in thy presence.
Psalms 140 (ASV)
1 Deliver me, O Jehovah, from the evil man; Preserve me from the violent man:
2 Who devise mischiefs in their heart; Continually do they gather themselves together for war.
3 They have sharpened their tongue like a serpent; Adders’ poison is under their lips. [Selah
4 Keep me, O Jehovah, from the hands of the wicked; Preserve me from the violent man: Who have purposed to thrust aside my steps.
5 The proud have hid a snare for me, and cords; They have spread a net by the wayside; They have set gins for me. [Selah
6 I said unto Jehovah, Thou art my God: Give ear unto the voice of my supplications, O Jehovah.
7 O Jehovah the Lord, the strength of my salvation, Thou hast covered my head in the day of battle.
8 Grant not, O Jehovah, the desires of the wicked; Further not his evil device, lest they exalt themselves. [Selah
9 As for the head of those that compass me about, Let the mischief of their own lips cover them.
10 Let burning coals fall upon them: Let them be cast into the fire, Into deep pits, whence they shall not rise.
11 An evil speaker shall not be established in the earth: Evil shall hunt the violent man to overthrow him.
12 I know that Jehovah will maintain the cause of the afflicted, And justice for the needy.
13 Surely the righteous shall give thanks unto thy name: The upright shall dwell in thy presence.
Summary
Psalm 140 is a lament and prayer for protection, in which David asks Yahweh to deliver him from evil and violent men. He describes enemies who devise mischief in their hearts, gather for war, and sharpen their tongues like a serpent, with viper's poison under their lips. They lay snares, spread nets, and set traps along his path, plotting to trip his feet. In the midst of these threats David turns to God in confession and plea: "You are my God," he says, asking the Lord, the strength of his salvation, to hear his cry, for God has covered his head in the day of battle. He prays that God will not grant the desires of the wicked or let their evil plans succeed, and he asks that their own mischief and cruelty fall back on their heads. The psalm closes in confident hope: David knows that Yahweh will maintain the cause of the afflicted and secure justice for the needy, and that the righteous will give thanks to his name while the upright dwell in his presence. It is a model of bringing real danger and real enemies to God rather than to revenge. In Christ, the truly innocent sufferer, this trust finds its fullest expression, for he entrusted himself to the God who judges justly.
Voices
- David — The psalmist surrounded by violent, deceitful enemies who confesses God as his own and trusts him for deliverance and justice.
- Yahweh (the LORD) — The strength of David's salvation who covers his head in battle and maintains the cause of the afflicted and needy.
- The violent men — The proud and evil-tongued enemies who devise mischief, lay snares, and plot to trip the righteous.
Key Verse
Psalm 140:12 (WEB)
I know that Yahweh will maintain the cause of the afflicted, and justice for the needy.
Lessons Learned
- When others plot harm against us, our first move is to bring it to God, not to plan our own revenge.
- The words of the wicked—sharpened tongues and poisoned lips—can wound as deeply as any weapon.
- We can declare "You are my God" in the middle of danger, anchoring identity before asking for rescue.
- God is committed to the cause of the afflicted and the justice of the needy, so the helpless are never truly alone.
- Bring real enemies to a real God. "Deliver me, Yahweh, from the evil man" (Psalm 140:1, WEB)—David names the threat plainly and hands it to God.
- Confession of God precedes the plea. "I said to Yahweh, 'You are my God'" (Psalm 140:6, WEB)—identity in God grounds the prayer for help.
- God shields his servants in battle. "You have covered my head in the day of battle" (Psalm 140:7, WEB)—the Lord is the strength of our salvation under attack.
- God defends the afflicted. "I know that Yahweh will maintain the cause of the afflicted" (Psalm 140:12, WEB)—the helpless have an advocate in heaven.
- How does David describe the weapons of his enemies, and why are words such a serious threat?
- What difference does it make that David says "You are my God" before asking for deliverance?
- How do we hold together the prayer against the wicked and our call to love our enemies?
- Why is David so confident that God will maintain the cause of the afflicted?
- When you feel surrounded or attacked, what would it look like to bring it to God instead of plotting your own response?
- David speaks of sharpened tongues, viper's poison, snares, and traps (vv. 3-5). Words and schemes can destroy reputations and lives. Discuss how slander and plotting are taken seriously by God, who hears the targeted.
- Naming God as his own anchors David's request in relationship, not just need. He prays as one who belongs to God, which gives him both confidence and humility. Help the group see prayer as flowing from covenant.
- The psalm hands judgment to God rather than seizing it, which is itself a step toward loving enemies. We can long for justice while leaving vengeance to God, as Christ did when reviled. Discuss this tension honestly.
- Because God's character is bound to the weak; he repeatedly promises to defend the afflicted and the needy. David's confidence rests not on his own strength but on who God is. The vulnerable can trust this same commitment.
- This is a gentle personal-application question. Encourage members to identify a current pressure or conflict and to pray it through rather than scheme through it. As leader, affirm that handing things to God is strength, not passivity.