Read Psalms 140 in the King James Bible (opens in a new tab)
Psalm 140 is David’s prayer for rescue from violent and deceitful people who plot evil, stir conflict, and set traps for the righteous. The psalm exposes how wickedness often works through words—poisoned speech, slander, and proud schemes—while pleading for the LORD’s protection from both open aggression and hidden snares. David appeals to God as “the strength of my salvation,” trusting that the LORD defends His servant in the day of battle and will not grant the wicked their desires. The prayer also calls for just judgment: that evil would not be established, and that the violent would be overturned by the consequences of their own malice. The chapter ends with steady confidence that the LORD maintains the cause of the afflicted and the poor, and that the upright will dwell in His presence.
Psalms 140:1 - 140:13
1 To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. 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.