Christianity
Psalms 140Deliver Me from the Evil Man
Summary
Psalm 140, attributed to David, is a prayer for protection from violent and slanderous enemies. They imagine mischiefs in their hearts, gather together for war, and have sharpened their tongues like a serpent, with adders' poison under their lips. They have hidden snares and spread nets by the wayside. The psalmist confesses the LORD as his God and the strength of his salvation, who covered his head in the day of battle, and trusts that God will maintain the cause of the afflicted and the right of the poor.
Key verse
“I know that the LORD will maintain the cause of the afflicted, and the right of the poor.”
Psalms 140:12
Themes
- Protection from Violence
- Slander
- Trust in God's Justice
- Defense of the Poor
Text
Deliver me, O LORD, from the evil man: preserve me from the violent man;
Which imagine mischiefs in their heart; continually are they gathered together for war.
They have sharpened their tongues like a serpent; adders’ poison is under their lips. Selah.
Keep me, O LORD, from the hands of the wicked; preserve me from the violent man; who have purposed to overthrow my goings.
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.
I said unto the LORD, Thou art my God: hear the voice of my supplications, O LORD.
O GOD the Lord, the strength of my salvation, thou hast covered my head in the day of battle.
Grant not, O LORD, the desires of the wicked: further not his wicked device; lest they exalt themselves. Selah.
As for the head of those that compass me about, let the mischief of their own lips cover them.
Let burning coals fall upon them: let them be cast into the fire; into deep pits, that they rise not up again.
Let not an evil speaker be established in the earth: evil shall hunt the violent man to overthrow him.
I know that the LORD will maintain the cause of the afflicted, and the right of the poor.
Surely the righteous shall give thanks unto thy name: the upright shall dwell in thy presence.
Text: King James Version (1611/1769), public domain.
Across traditions
Christianity
Romans 3: Poison Under Their LipsPaul quotes Psalm 140:3, adders' poison under their lips, in Romans 3:13 as part of a chain of verses showing that all have sinned.
Christianity
Ephesians 6: The Helmet of SalvationPsalm 140:7 speaks of God covering the psalmist's head in battle, and Ephesians 6:17 urges believers to take the helmet of salvation in their spiritual struggle.
Questions about Psalms 140
What does 'adders' poison is under their lips' mean?
Psalm 140:3 compares slander and lies to snake venom, words that wound and kill. Paul uses the verse in Romans 3:13 to describe human sinfulness in speech.
Who is the 'evil man' in Psalm 140?
The psalm does not name him. The heading attributes it to David, and readers often connect it with his years pursued by Saul, but its language fits anyone facing violent or deceitful opponents.