Single lesson
Psalm 140: Rescue Me from Evil Men
Psalms 140:1–13
Psalm 140 is a prayer asking Yahweh for rescue from violent and deceitful people. In this lesson, children will notice who is speaking, the strong word pictures in the psalm, and how the prayer moves from danger to confidence.
Before you teach
In Psalms 140:1–13, the speaker asks Yahweh for deliverance from evil and violent people. The prayer describes harmful speech, hidden traps and proud plans, then turns to direct requests, confidence in Yahweh’s help, and a closing statement about justice, thanksgiving and God’s presence.
Students will be able to identify the speaker’s problem, name at least two images in the psalm, and explain how the prayer moves from plea to confidence.
Welcome: What kind of prayer is this?
4 minTell the group that Psalm 140 is a prayer spoken to Yahweh. Ask children to listen for repeated ideas as you read: danger, asking for help, and trust. Explain that the speaker says, “You are my God,” so this is a personal prayer for rescue, not just a description of trouble.
Psalms 140:1, Psalms 140:6
Read and explain: Trouble described with pictures
7 minRead Psalms 140:1–5 slowly. Point out the enemies are called evil, violent, wicked and proud. Show the images: tongues like a serpent, viper’s poison, a snare, cords of a net and traps by the path. Explain that these pictures show danger from cruel words and secret plans.
Psalms 140:1, Psalms 140:3, Psalms 140:4, Psalms 140:5
Discuss: The middle of the prayer turns to Yahweh
6 minRead Psalms 140:6–8. Ask children what the speaker says directly to Yahweh. Notice the words “You are my God” and “Listen to the cry of my petitions.” Explain “the strength of my salvation” as a way of saying Yahweh is the strong one who saves. The speaker asks that wicked plans will not succeed.
Psalms 140:6, Psalms 140:7, Psalms 140:8
Make and respond: Image prayer card
8 minChildren make a simple folded card with one picture from the psalm on the front, such as a net, a shielded head or lips. Inside, they write a short prayer to God using words from the psalm, such as “Deliver me” or “You are my God,” and one line of thanks.
Psalms 140:1, Psalms 140:6, Psalms 140:7, Psalms 140:13
Closing: From justice to thanks
5 minRead Psalms 140:9–13. Briefly explain that the psalm asks God to deal with evil and says Yahweh will maintain the cause of the afflicted and justice for the needy. Finish by noticing the last line: the righteous will give thanks and the upright will dwell in God’s presence. End by restating the movement from danger to trust.
Psalms 140:9, Psalms 140:10, Psalms 140:12, Psalms 140:13
Questions to explore
What words in the psalm show that this is a prayer spoken to God, not just a poem about danger?
Look for direct speech to Yahweh such as “Deliver me”, “You are my God” and “Listen to the cry of my petitions”.
Psalms 140:1, Psalms 140:6
Which pictures in verses 3 to 5 help you understand the danger the speaker feels?
Notice the serpent and poison for harmful speech, and the snare, net and traps for hidden plans.
Psalms 140:3, Psalms 140:5
How does the ending of the psalm sound different from the beginning?
Compare the opening cries for rescue with the closing confidence that Yahweh gives justice and that the righteous will give thanks.
Psalms 140:1, Psalms 140:12, Psalms 140:13
Make, think or respond
Illustrated Psalm Prayer Card
What you’ll need
- paper or card
- pencils or crayons
- marker
Try it together
- Fold a piece of paper in half to make a card.
- On the front, draw one image from the psalm, such as a serpent tongue, a net, or a head covered in battle.
- Inside, write one short line from the psalm and add a simple prayer to God for help or thanks.
- Invite children to share which verse inspired their drawing, if they want to.
This activity helps children notice the psalm’s images and how the prayer includes both need and trust.
Adapt for your group
- For younger children, offer three image choices on the board and let them copy a short phrase such as “You are my God” or “Deliver me, Yahweh”.
- For older or more confident children, ask them to divide the psalm into beginning, middle and ending, then label their card with the verse numbers that match each part.
An optional closing prayer
“Yahweh, you hear our cries. Please help us trust you, speak truthfully, and remember that you care for the afflicted and needy. Amen.”
Read the Bible passage World English Bible Classic
Psalms 140
1 Deliver me, Yahweh, from evil men. Preserve me from violent men:
2 those who devise mischief in their hearts. They continually gather themselves together for war.
3 They have sharpened their tongues like a serpent. Viper’s poison is under their lips. Selah.
4 Yahweh, keep me from the hands of the wicked. Preserve me from the violent men who have determined to trip my feet.
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.
6 I said to Yahweh, “You are my God.” Listen to the cry of my petitions, Yahweh.
7 Yahweh, the Lord, the strength of my salvation, you have covered my head in the day of battle.
8 Yahweh, don’t grant the desires of the wicked. Don’t let their evil plans succeed, or they will become proud. Selah.
9 As for the head of those who surround me, let the mischief of their own lips cover them.
10 Let burning coals fall on them. Let them be thrown into the fire, into miry pits, from where they never rise.
11 An evil speaker won’t be established on the earth. Evil will hunt the violent man to overthrow him.
12 I know that Yahweh will maintain the cause of the afflicted, and justice for the needy.
13 Surely the righteous will give thanks to your name. The upright will dwell in your presence.
World English Bible Classic. Public domain.