ScriptureDepth's study of Psalm 140
“Yahweh, keep me from the hands of the wicked. Preserve me from the violent men who have determined to trip my feet.”
Psalms 140:4
The psalmist speaks to Yahweh for protection against 'violent men', asserting a plea for deliverance that shapes the urgency of the entire psalm.
What Psalm 140 is about
The psalmist asks Yahweh to deliver him from the evil and violent men who plot mischief in their hearts (vv. 1-2). These adversaries sharpen their words like serpents, hiding dangers in their speech (v. 3). The psalmist acknowledges their traps, noting how they have set snares along his path (vv. 4-5). In his declaration of trust, he calls Yahweh 'my God' and requests to be heard as he lifts his cries (v. 6). He recognizes Yahweh as the source of his salvation, who protects him in battle (v. 7). The psalmist urges Yahweh to thwart the wicked's desires and prevent their plans from succeeding (vv. 8-9). He prays for justice, asking that their own words bring them down and lead to their destruction (vv. 10-11). Finally, he affirms his confidence that Yahweh will maintain justice for the needy, and the righteous will dwell in His presence (vv. 12-13).
The psalmist asserts that the righteous will give thanks to Yahweh, and the upright will dwell in His presence.
Psalm 140 at a glance
- Psalm 140:1–2Plea for Deliverance from Evil
- Psalm 140:3–5Description of the Adversaries
- Psalm 140:6–8Declaration of Trust
- Psalm 140:9–11Prayers for Justice
- Psalm 140:12–13Affirmation of Righteousness and Justice
Key verse: Psalms 140:4
One thing to notice
Imagery of entrapment appears in verses 5 and 9, where the psalmist describes traps set by adversaries. The 'snare' and 'cords of a net' in verse 5 and the mischief of 'their own lips' in verse 9 depict the deceptive nature of the wicked surrounding the speaker.
Summary and study helps: AI-drafted (September 2026), checked by automated Scripture gates. Spotted an error? Report it. Fixes are listed on the corrections page.
Chapter text
Read Psalm 140 (WEB)
Plea for Deliverance from Evil Psalm 140:1–2
1Verse 1. Deliver me, Yahweh, from the evil man.Preserve me from the violent man;2Verse 2. those who devise mischief in their hearts.They continually gather themselves together for war.
Description of the Adversaries Psalm 140:3–5
3Verse 3. They have sharpened their tongues like a serpent.Viper’s poison is under their lips.Selah.4Verse 4. Yahweh, keep me from the hands of the wicked.Preserve me from the violent men who have determined to trip my feet.5Verse 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.
Declaration of Trust Psalm 140:6–8
6Verse 6. I said to Yahweh, “You are my God.”Listen to the cry of my petitions, Yahweh.7Verse 7. Yahweh, the Lord, the strength of my salvation,you have covered my head in the day of battle.8Verse 8. Yahweh, don’t grant the desires of the wicked.Don’t let their evil plans succeed, or they will become proud.Selah.
Prayers for Justice Psalm 140:9–11
9Verse 9. As for the head of those who surround me,let the mischief of their own lips cover them.10Verse 10. Let burning coals fall on them.Let them be thrown into the fire,into miry pits, from where they never rise.11Verse 11. An evil speaker won’t be established in the earth.Evil will hunt the violent man to overthrow him.
Affirmation of Righteousness and Justice Psalm 140:12–13
12Verse 12. I know that Yahweh will maintain the cause of the afflicted,and justice for the needy.13Verse 13. Surely the righteous will give thanks to your name.The upright will dwell in your presence.
World English Bible (public domain)
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Main themes in Psalm 140
Divine Protection
In Psalm 140, divine protection is sought from adversaries. In verse 4, the psalmist asks, 'Yahweh, keep me from the hands of the wicked.' This request shows a reliance on God to shield him from violence and traps set by the proud. The plea for preservation signifies an active cry for God's safeguarding presence in times of danger.
Justice and Righteousness
Justice and righteousness are central in the psalm, particularly in verses 12-13. Here, the psalmist affirms, 'Yahweh will maintain the cause of the afflicted, and justice for the needy.' This assurance of divine justice reveals the belief that God upholds the rights of the oppressed. The concluding verse expresses confidence that the righteous will dwell in God's presence.
God as Deliverer
God is portrayed as a deliverer in Psalm 140, particularly in verse 7 where the psalmist claims, 'Yahweh, the Lord, the strength of my salvation.' This acknowledgment of God’s role as a rescuer shows reliance during perilous times. The repeated pleas for deliverance indicate a deep trust in God's ability to save from wickedness and violence.
Faith Amid Adversity
The psalmist expresses faith amid adversity throughout Psalm 140, notably in verse 6, where he states, 'I said to Yahweh, “You are my God.”' This declaration amidst trouble reveals the psalmist's unwavering trust in God despite the surrounding threats. The continuous prayers for help demonstrate a steadfast belief in God’s intervention during challenging circumstances.
Chapter outline
How Psalm 140 unfolds
Psalm 140:1–2 Plea for Deliverance from Evil
The psalmist directly cries out to Yahweh, asking for deliverance from 'the evil man' and preservation from 'the violent man' who cause harm and engage in conflict (vv. 1-2).
Psalm 140:3–5 Description of the Adversaries
The adversaries sharpen their tongues like a serpent and hide a snare, plotting against the psalmist. They seek to trip his feet with traps, while the psalmist asks Yahweh to protect him from these violent men (vv. 3-5).
Psalm 140:6–8 Declaration of Trust
The psalmist acknowledges Yahweh as God and implores Him to hear his prayers, expressing reliance on Yahweh's strength for salvation and protection during conflict (vv. 6-8).
Psalm 140:9–11 Prayers for Justice
The psalmist prays for justice against the wicked, asking that their evil intentions fail and that they suffer the consequences of their actions (vv. 9-11).
Psalm 140:12–13 Affirmation of Righteousness and Justice
The psalmist expresses confidence that Yahweh will uphold the cause of the afflicted and that the righteous will ultimately give thanks and dwell in God's presence (vv. 12-13).
Key verses
Psalms 140:4The psalmist speaks to Yahweh for protection against 'violent men', asserting a plea for deliverance that shapes the urgency of the entire psalm.
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Study questions
Questions for studying Psalm 140
- observeIn v1, who is David asking to deliver him from the evil man?
- observeWhat does David describe as 'the cords of a net' in v5?
- interpretIn v8, why does David ask Yahweh not to grant the 'desires of the wicked'?
- interpretIn v10, what does David mean by asking for 'burning coals' to fall on his adversaries?
- applyWhen have you felt overwhelmed by 'the violent man' as described in v1?
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Cross-references
Passages that echo Psalm 140
- Psalm 33Psalm 140:8 and Psalm 33:10Both Yahweh brings to nothing: Psalm 140:8 says don't grant the desires of the wicked, while Psalm 33:10 says He brings the counsel of the nations to nothing.
- Psalm 18Psalm 140:1 and Psalm 18:48Both deliver me from the violent man: Psalm 140:1 pleads for deliverance, while Psalm 18:48 affirms He delivers me from the violent man.
- Psalm 31Psalm 140:3 and Psalm 31:20Both hide them from plotting: Psalm 140:3 speaks of sharpened tongues, while Psalm 31:20 promises shelter from the plotting of man.
- James 3Psalm 140:3 and James 3:8Both deadly poison: Psalm 140:3 describes viper's poison under their lips, while James 3:8 states the tongue is full of deadly poison.
- Psalm 10Psalm 140:8 and Psalm 10:2Both desires of the wicked: Psalm 140:8 pleads for their plans not to succeed, while Psalm 10:2 shows the wicked hunt down the weak.
- Psalm 35Psalm 140:5 and Psalm 35:7Both hidden their net: Psalm 140:5 mentions traps set for me, while Psalm 35:7 states they have hidden their net in a pit.
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