Read Psalm 140
For the director of music. A psalm of David.
1 Rescue me, Lord, from evildoers;
protect me from the violent,
2 who devise evil plans in their hearts
and stir up war every day.
3 They make their tongues as sharp as a serpent’s;
the poison of vipers is on their lips.
4 Keep me safe, Lord, from the hands of the wicked;
protect me from the violent,
who devise ways to trip my feet.
5 The arrogant have hidden a snare for me;
they have spread out the cords of their net
and have set traps for me along my path.
6 I say to the Lord, “You are my God.”
Hear, Lord, my cry for mercy.
7 Sovereign Lord, my strong deliverer,
you shield my head in the day of battle.
8 Do not grant the wicked their desires, Lord;
do not let their plans succeed.
9 Those who surround me proudly rear their heads;
may the mischief of their lips engulf them.
10 May burning coals fall on them;
may they be thrown into the fire,
into miry pits, never to rise.
11 May slanderers not be established in the land;
may disaster hunt down the violent.
12 I know that the Lord secures justice for the poor
and upholds the cause of the needy.
13 Surely the righteous will praise your name,
and the upright will live in your presence.
Go Deeper
David’s self-awareness of the true enemy stands out in this passage. His plea with God is clear in his desperate language, “deliver me, preserve me, guard me [from evil, wicked, and violent men].” Our culture today minimizes the idea of a true enemy while maximizing the small offenses. We often act as if we are on a playground rather than a battlefield. This passage reminds us that the enemy of our souls is after us. He has hidden traps for us, spread out nets, and set out snares all in hopes to bait us into sin. These traps, nets, and snares look different in each of our lives. These are the things we hold onto white knuckled , that we idolize, and look to to tell us our worth.
David’s response to this stress is prayer and communication with God. David isn’t seeking to be right, he is seeking righteousness. He is striving for the enemy to be defeated, not for his own gain or self-preservation, but for the Kingdom of God to be advanced. In verse 9 and 10 we see how seriously he takes his opponent and how desperately David desires for evil to be demolished. In today’s world we often tolerate or minimize the work of the evil one. Our prayer should be the same as David- that evil would be defeated and that justice would prevail. David was confident that the Lord would defend His people who were being afflicted.
We try to manipulate God into aligning Him with our own agenda, when, in reality, the battle belongs to God and justice is His. He is righteous, and just, and we’d be wise to align our hearts with His rather than trying to manipulate Him into our small offenses and entitlements.
Imagine what our world would look like if our posture was the same as David’s. Our hearts would be surrendered to the only One who sits on a throne of righteousness and justice (Psalm 89:14). Our minds would be committed to memorizing His words (Psalm 119:110). Our wills would be submitted to His agenda and plan (Romans 12:2).
Questions
- In what ways are you attempting to be the judge of others’ lives? How could you approach them (in thought or deed) more graciously this week?
- What are the traps, nets and snares in your life? How do you actively fight the enemy?
- Psalm 119:11 says “I have stored up your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.” What Scripture have you written on your heart to combat the lies the enemy feeds you?
Listen to this
Leave a Comment Below
Join the Team
Interested in writing for the Bible Reading Plan? Email hello@biblereadingplan.org.
4 thoughts on “Psalms of Trust: Psalm 140”
Distress
Where did you run to when you got hurt as a child? We turned to our parents. We sought comfort or got a bandaid for the hurt we endured. This is what I hear and see that David is doing. He turns to his Father. David knows God will protect and help him when in need. God is our Father. We should have such an ongoing conversation with God that during all minutes of the day God wants there to be constant conversation of good, bad, lovely, silly, enjoyment, encouragement, love, frustation, anger, excitment, all the emotions with God. He already knows but really wants us to be so intune that we discuss every single thing with Him but also give Him room to tell us what it is we need to do next to have a overcoming, fulfilling life.
God thank You for being that loving Father that I can turn to in all times in my life. There is nothing that can seperate me from Your love and there is nothing I can do to earn it. Thank You for ways You are showing me to grow and to lean into You more fully. Thank You for continuing to help me grow towards You. God thank You for today, these minutes in this day. Thank You for me seeing others through Your love goggles, hearing them truly, taking action if You guide me to it. Thank You for giving me Your words to speak and to be loving, full of Your joy, unspeakable peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control to further Your Kingdom in these minutes of this day in Jesus name amen.
WOOHOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I am so thankful for our Life Group that rallies around one another in the joys and challenges of life. We continually remind ourselves of biblical truth, pray and meet regularly to support and encourage one another. We fight the enemy together and show up to build accountability. No one ever has to battle alone. We constantly remind ourselves of how big our God is. It’s such a sweet spot and gift of God to me.
7 Sovereign Lord, my strong deliverer,
you shield my head in the day of battle.
It is an honor to dwell in the presence of God each new morning and throughout the day, May I be mindful of His presence, that my actions will be aligned with His will. In Jesus name, Amen.
12 “I know that the Lord secures justice for the poor and upholds the cause of the needy.”
Let it be so! Let me be a part of this!