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About this chapterDavid prays for rescue from violent and evil people who plot trouble, sharpen their tongues like a serpent's, and set hidden traps. He tells the Lord that he is his God and asks to be heard, remembering that the Lord has been his strong salvation in the day of battle. He asks God not to grant the wicked their wishes, and prays that the mischief of their own lips fall on them, like burning coals or pits they cannot escape. He closes with confidence that God defends the cause of the poor and needy, and that the righteous will give thanks and live in his presence.

David prays for rescue from violent and evil people who plot trouble, sharpen their tongues like a serpent's, and set hidden traps. He tells the Lord that he is his God and asks to be heard, remembering that the Lord has been his strong salvation in the day of battle. He asks God not to grant the wicked their wishes, and prays that the mischief of their own lips fall on them, like burning coals or pits they cannot escape. He closes with confidence that God defends the cause of the poor and needy, and that the righteous will give thanks and live in his presence.

Themes

  • Rescue from violent people
  • Deceitful speech
  • God defends the needy
  • Confidence in prayer

Key verses

Audio Bible · Psalms 140

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Psalms 140

Berean Standard Bible13 verses · 1 min read

1Rescue me, O LORD, from evil men. Protect me from men of violence, 2who devise evil in their hearts and stir up war all day long. 3They sharpen their tongues like snakes; the venom of vipers is on their lips. Selah 4Guard me, O LORD, from the hands of the wicked. Keep me safe from men of violence who scheme to make me stumble. 5The proud hide a snare for me; the cords of their net are spread along the path, and lures are set out for me.Selah 6I say to the LORD, “You are my God.” Hear, O LORD, my cry for help. 7O GOD the Lord, the strength of my salvation, You shield my head in the day of battle. 8Grant not, O LORD, the desires of the wicked; do not promote their evil plans, lest they be exalted.Selah 9May the heads of those who surround me be covered in the trouble their lips have caused. 10May burning coals fall on them; may they be thrown into the fire, into the miry pits, never to rise again. 11May no slanderer be established in the land; may calamity hunt down the man of violence. 12I know that the LORD upholds justice for the poor and defends the cause of the needy. 13Surely the righteous will praise Your name; the upright will dwell in Your presence.
Verses in Psalms 140

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