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Illustration for Psalm 140: Deliver Me, O LORD

Psalm 140

Deliver Me, O LORD

When AfraidComfortCourage

David asks God to protect him from people who plan evil things and use sharp, cruel words like snakes. He knows that God defends the cause of the poor and needy. God is his strong deliverer who shields him in battle.

  1. 1Rescue me, O LORD, from evil men; protect me from violent men,
  2. 2who devise evil in their hearts and stir up wars all day long.
  3. 3They sharpen their tongues like a serpent; viper's venom is under their lips. Selah
  4. 4Guard me, O LORD, from the hands of the wicked; protect me from violent men who have planned to trip up my feet.
  5. 5The arrogant have hidden a snare for me; they have spread out the cords of their net, setting traps along the path. Selah
  6. 6I said to the LORD, "You are my God." Hear, O LORD, my cry for mercy.
  7. 7O Lord GOD, my strong deliverer, You have shielded my head in the day of battle.
  8. 8Do not grant the wicked their desires, O LORD; do not let their plans succeed, lest they be exalted. Selah
  9. 9May the heads of those who surround me be covered by the mischief of their own lips.
  10. 10May burning coals fall upon them; may they be thrown into the fire, into deep pits from which they cannot escape.
  11. 11Let not the slanderer be established in the land; may evil hunt down the man of violence.
  12. 12I know that the LORD will uphold the cause of the poor and justice for the needy.
  13. 13Surely the righteous will praise Your name; the upright will dwell in Your presence.

What it means

David asks for protection from people whose words are sharp and hurtful. He does not plan revenge — he hands it over. And he remembers who God is: the one who takes the side of people who are poor and pushed around.

A little prayer

God, please protect me from people who plan to be cruel and say hurtful things. I give it to You instead of getting my own back. Thank You that You defend people who need it. Amen.

Memory verse

“I know that the LORD will uphold the cause of the poor and justice for the needy.”

Psalm 140:12 (BSB)

It states what the psalm is sure of before anything has changed.

Talk about it

Questions with no single right answer — for a family table or a Sunday-school circle.

  1. The psalm compares cruel words to snake venom. What makes some words feel poisonous?
  2. David asks for protection rather than revenge. Which comes to you more naturally?
  3. It says God secures justice for the poor. Who needs that today?
  4. What is the kindest thing anyone has said to you?

Try this

Antidote

For every unkind thing anyone can remember being said to them, say two true kind things about that person. Keep going until the kind ones win.

Scripture from the Berean Standard Bible (BSB)