PSALM 140

1 To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David. Deliver me, O LORD, from evil men; Preserve me from violent men, 2 Who plan evil things in [their] hearts; They continually gather together [for] war. 3 They sharpen their tongues like a serpent; The poison of asps [is] under their lips. Selah 4 Keep me, O LORD, from the hands of the wicked; Preserve me from violent men, Who have purposed to make my steps stumble. 5 The proud have hidden a snare for me, and cords; They have spread a net by the wayside; They have set traps for me. Selah 6 I said to the LORD: “You [are] my God; Hear the voice of my supplications, O LORD. 7 O GOD the Lord, the strength of my salvation, You have covered my head in the day of battle. 8 Do not grant, O LORD, the desires of the wicked; Do not further his [wicked] scheme, [Lest] they be exalted. Selah 9 “[As for] the head of those who surround me, Let the evil of their 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 a slanderer be established in the earth; Let evil hunt the violent man to overthrow [him].” 12 I know that the LORD will maintain The cause of the afflicted, [And] justice for the poor. 13 Surely the righteous shall give thanks to Your name; The upright shall dwell in Your presence.

PSALM 140:1-13

PRESERVE ME FROM VIOLENT MEN

David had enemies. There were men who wanted Him dead. He was on the run for his life for a large part of his life. There were men who wouldn’t think twice to kill him. There were others who worked overtime on assassinating his character (v. 3, 11). David knew that he couldn’t fight these battles alone and so he called upon the LORD.

David often acted practically. He took measures to protect himself, but perhaps the biggest measure he took was prayer. He asked God for protection and deliverance. He asked God for justice for his enemies.

There are moments when we might pray like David prayed. I remember waking up early one Sunday and praying for a mission team in another country. I asked God to watch over them and protect them from an evil presence. About an hour after I woke up to pray I got a text to pray for this team because some strange men had been following them. I found myself praying for protection and justice for this team and what they were going through. Thankfully, later we got the response that God had intervened and our team got to where they needed to be safely.

PRAYER

Father, I am so grateful to pray for your protection from those who would seek to do us harm. I am grateful for your provision and grace displayed in my life. Thank you for watching over us beyond what we an see. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

I’m reading and blogging the Psalms Through The Summer. I’d love for you to join me. You can find out a little more here.