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.
The book of Psalms, found in the Old Testament of the Bible, is a collection of religious verses known as psalms. Psalm 140 is one of the many psalms in this book, and it is a plea for deliverance from evil men and their malicious intentions. This psalm is attributed to King David, who was a significant figure in the Bible and is known for his poetic skills and profound faith in God.
Psalm 140 is a plea for protection and deliverance from the wicked. It is a lamentation and a prayer, a cry from the heart of a man surrounded by enemies who seek his downfall. David, the presumed author, prays for deliverance from his enemies and for justice against those who plot evil. He asks God to keep him safe from violent men who plan evil in their hearts and stir up wars continually.
The psalm begins with a heartfelt plea for deliverance. David cries out to God for protection from the wicked, from violent men who plan evil things in their hearts and stir up wars continually. Their tongues are compared to serpents, and the poison of vipers is under their lips. This powerful imagery conveys the lethal nature of their words and actions, emphasizing the urgent need for divine intervention.
David is not merely asking for protection; he is asking for deliverance from these evil men. The term deliverance denotes a complete rescue or salvation, an escape from a dangerous or threatening situation. This implies that David is in a dire situation, surrounded by enemies who seek to harm him, and his only hope is in God's divine intervention.
David not only prays for deliverance but also for justice. He asks God to make the wicked fall into their own nets while he himself escapes. This request for poetic justice is a common theme in the Psalms. It implies a desire for God's righteousness to prevail, for the wicked to be caught in their own traps and for the innocent to be vindicated.
Furthermore, David prays that the plans of the wicked would not succeed, that the mischief they plan would rebound on them. He asks God to strike them down, to make them incapable of causing harm. This plea for justice is not a call for personal vengeance but a call for God's righteousness to prevail, for His judgement to be manifested.
Despite the imminent danger, David expresses assurance in God's protection. He declares that God is his fortress, his refuge in times of trouble. He is confident that God will hear his supplications, that He will uphold his cause and vindicate him. This declaration of confidence amidst adversity exemplifies David's unwavering faith in God.
David's assurance in God's protection is not based on wishful thinking but on his personal experience of God's faithfulness. He acknowledges that God is a stronghold for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble. His faith is not a blind faith but a faith grounded in the reality of God's character and His proven track record of faithfulness.
The psalm ends with a proclamation of praise. Despite his circumstances, David is confident that the righteous will give thanks to God's name and that the upright will dwell in His presence. This is a declaration of faith and trust in God, a statement of confidence in God's ultimate victory over evil.
David's proclamation of praise is not a naive optimism but a profound faith in God's sovereignty and justice. He believes that God will eventually vindicate the righteous and punish the wicked. His faith is grounded in the reality of God's character, in His righteousness, justice, and steadfast love.
Psalm 140, like many other psalms, is timeless in its relevance. It speaks to all who find themselves in difficult situations, surrounded by enemies, facing unjust accusations, or dealing with people who plot evil. It provides a model of how to pray in such situations, how to plead for God's intervention, how to ask for His justice, and how to express confidence in His protection.
Furthermore, Psalm 140 reminds us of the importance of faith in God's sovereignty and justice. It reminds us that God is our fortress and refuge, that He hears our cries and will vindicate us in His time. It encourages us to trust in God's faithfulness, to believe in His righteousness, and to proclaim His praises even in difficult circumstances.
In conclusion, Psalm 140 is a powerful psalm of deliverance and justice. It is a plea for God's intervention, a cry for His justice, and a declaration of faith in His protection. It is a timeless psalm that speaks to all who find themselves in difficult situations, reminding them of God's sovereignty, justice, and faithfulness. It is a psalm that encourages us to trust in God, to cry out to Him in times of trouble, and to proclaim His praises in all circumstances.
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