Read & explore together
Rescue Me from Evil Men
Psalm 140 is a prayer for rescue from violent and deceitful people. It speaks honestly about danger, asks Yahweh for help, and ends with confidence that he defends the afflicted and receives the righteous.
Understanding the passage
Read these words in context
This passage is a psalm addressed to Yahweh. The speaker describes enemies as violent, proud, deceitful, and eager to trap him. He asks for protection, calls Yahweh his God and the strength of his salvation, and says that Yahweh upholds the afflicted and the needy.
Psalms 140:1–13Main takeaway
This psalm teaches that people under threat can call on Yahweh for protection, justice, and confidence in his presence.
Explore the poem and its images
Open a card to explore the full explanation and its Bible references.
01A cry for rescueThe psalm begins with direct requests: “Deliver me” and “Preserve me.” The danger comes from “evil men” and “violent men”.
Explanation
The psalm begins with direct requests: “Deliver me” and “Preserve me.” The danger comes from “evil men” and “violent men”. Their violence is not only physical. They devise mischief in their hearts and gather for war, showing planned hostility rather than a passing conflict.
02Words and traps can both harmThe enemies are described with two strong pictures. Their speech is like a serpent’s bite, with “viper’s poison” under their lips.
Explanation
The enemies are described with two strong pictures. Their speech is like a serpent’s bite, with “viper’s poison” under their lips. They also hide snares, cords, nets, and traps along the path. The psalm treats harmful words and hidden schemes as real dangers.
03Turning to Yahweh for helpAfter naming the danger, the speaker turns again to Yahweh in prayer: “You are my God.” He asks Yahweh to listen to his petitions.
Explanation
After naming the danger, the speaker turns again to Yahweh in prayer: “You are my God.” He asks Yahweh to listen to his petitions. He also calls Yahweh “the strength of my salvation” and says Yahweh has covered his head in the day of battle, describing protection and help.
04A plea for justice and a confident endingThe psalm asks that the wicked not succeed in their desires and that their own harmful words return on them.
Explanation
The psalm asks that the wicked not succeed in their desires and that their own harmful words return on them. Its judgement language is severe and should be read as part of the prayer’s appeal for justice. The ending states confidence that Yahweh maintains the afflicted, gives justice to the needy, and receives the righteous in his presence.
Questions to explore
Pause, look back at the verses and talk together.
01What kinds of danger does the speaker describe in this psalm?
Look for both open violence and hidden harm, including speech, traps, and plans.
02What does the speaker say about Yahweh before asking for justice?
Notice the names and descriptions he uses for Yahweh in his prayer.
03How does the ending of the psalm change the tone from the opening verses?
Compare the opening cries for rescue with the closing statements about the afflicted, the needy, and the righteous.
Read the Bible passage
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
Psalms 140:1–13
1Deliver me, Yahweh, from evil men. Preserve me from violent men:
2those who devise mischief in their hearts. They continually gather themselves together for war.
3They have sharpened their tongues like a serpent. Viper’s poison is under their lips. Selah.
4Yahweh, keep me from the hands of the wicked. Preserve me from the violent men who have determined to trip my feet.
5The 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.
6I said to Yahweh, “You are my God.” Listen to the cry of my petitions, Yahweh.
7Yahweh, the Lord, the strength of my salvation, you have covered my head in the day of battle.
8Yahweh, don’t grant the desires of the wicked. Don’t let their evil plans succeed, or they will become proud. Selah.
9As for the head of those who surround me, let the mischief of their own lips cover them.
10Let burning coals fall on them. Let them be thrown into the fire, into miry pits, from where they never rise.
11An evil speaker won’t be established on the earth. Evil will hunt the violent man to overthrow him.
12I know that Yahweh will maintain the cause of the afflicted, and justice for the needy.
13Surely the righteous will give thanks to your name. The upright will dwell in your presence.