A stony path at gray dusk bending out of sight between boulders, nothing visible on it, under a wide flat sky.

Lament · David

Psalm 140

For when the danger is what people are saying about you and planning behind your back.

13 verses≈ 3 minBSB

Images are artistic interpretations.

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Where we are

1–41Book IDavid's prayers: 'The LORD is my shepherd'
42–72Book II'As the deer pants'; the throne under pressure
73–89Book IIIAsaph and Korah: the kingdom falls
90–106Book IVBack to Moses: the LORD reigns
107–150Book VSongs of ascents, and the last HallelujahPsalm 140

Rescue Me from Evil Men

Three men lean close over a low table in a lamplit stone room, their faces half in shadow.

For the choirmaster. A Psalm of David.

Rescue me, O LORD, from evil men.

Protect me from men of violence,

who devise evil in their hearts

and stir up war all day long.

Tap to go deeper: meaning, history and related Scripture

At dusk a sand viper lies coiled on pale stony ground beside a tent peg and the edge of a black goat-hair tent.

They sharpen their tongues like snakes;

the venom of vipers is on their lips.

Selah

Guard me, O LORD,

from the hands of the wicked.

Keep me safe from men of violence

who scheme to make me stumble.

The proud hide a snare for me;

the cords of their net are spread along the path,

and lures are set out for me.

Selah

A worn leather war cap resting on a rock on an empty stony field, with dust settling in the air.

I say to the LORD, “You are my God.”

Hear, O LORD, my cry for help.

O GOD the Lord, the strength of my salvation,

You shield my head in the day of battle.

Grant not, O LORD, the desires of the wicked;

do not promote their evil plans,

lest they be exalted.

Selah

0:20

Narrated by Bob Souer · BSB audio, public domain

May the heads of those who surround me

be covered in the trouble their lips have caused.

May burning coals fall on them;

may they be thrown into the fire,

into the miry pits, never to rise again.

May no slanderer be established in the land;

may calamity hunt down the man of violence.

An old poor man and a widow, seen from behind, stand before seated elders at a town gate, and one elder leans in to listen.

I know that the LORD upholds justice for the poor

and defends the cause of the needy.

Early morning on the ridge of the City of David, a few small worshipers at rest near a plain tent inside a low stone enclosure.

Surely the righteous will praise Your name;

the upright will dwell in Your presence.

Pray

Pray it

Name to God who is speaking against you, plainly, and what they are saying. Then say it with David: “You are my God.” Leave the verdict with Him. Amen.

You’ve experienced

Psalm 140

0 of 150 psalms read

A verse to carry with you

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

Psalm 140:12

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