Psalms 140:1

¶ To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. Deliver me, O LORD, from the evil man: preserve me from the violent man;

To the chief Musician {H5329}, A Psalm {H4210} of David {H1732}. Deliver {H2502} me, O LORD {H3068}, from the evil {H7451} man {H120}: preserve {H5341} me from the violent {H2555} man {H376};

For the leader. A psalm of David: Rescue me, ADONAI, from evil people, protect me from violent people.

Rescue me, O LORD, from evil men. Protect me from men of violence,

Deliver me, O Jehovah, from the evil man; Preserve me from the violent man:

Commentary

Psalms 140:1 (KJV): "¶ To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. Deliver me, O LORD, from the evil man: preserve me from the violent man;"

Context

Psalm 140 is a fervent prayer for protection, attributed "To the chief Musician" and identified as "A Psalm of David." This indicates its intended use in public worship and its origin from a time of intense personal distress experienced by King David. The psalm likely reflects a period when David was actively persecuted or threatened by specific, malicious adversaries who sought to harm him physically or undermine his position. It belongs to a category of lament psalms where the psalmist cries out to God for intervention against real and present dangers, trusting in divine justice and deliverance.

Key Themes

  • Earnest Prayer for Deliverance: The verse opens with an urgent, direct plea: "Deliver me, O LORD." This sets the tone for the entire psalm, emphasizing David's complete reliance on God for salvation from his enemies. This reliance is a recurring theme in David's life, as seen in his many prayers for help.
  • Threat of Malicious Adversaries: David identifies two distinct but related threats: the "evil man" and the "violent man." This highlights the dual nature of the danger he faced—both moral wickedness and active, aggressive harm. The psalmist is not merely expressing general anxiety but confronting specific, tangible dangers from hostile individuals.
  • God as Protector and Preserver: Underlying David's petition is an unwavering faith in God's power and willingness to act as his refuge and deliverer. He appeals to the LORD's character as the ultimate protector, a truth often celebrated throughout the Psalms, as seen in descriptions of God as a fortress and deliverer in Psalm 18:2.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew terms used in this verse add significant depth to David's cry for help:

  • "Evil man" translates from 'ish ra' (איש רע), which emphasizes a person whose character is fundamentally wicked, morally corrupt, and prone to doing harm.
  • "Violent man" comes from 'ish hamas' (איש חמס), specifically denoting a person characterized by injustice, cruelty, and active oppression or physical violence. This isn't just passive evil but aggressive, harmful intent and action.
  • "Deliver me" (halats - חלץ) suggests being drawn out or rescued from a tight spot, implying a powerful act of liberation.
  • "Preserve me" (natsal - נצל) implies snatching away or pulling out from danger, signifying a strong, saving intervention.

Practical Application

Psalm 140:1 offers a timeless model for prayer when facing adversity and feeling threatened. It reminds us that:

  • It is appropriate and biblical to pray specifically for God's protection and intervention against those who seek to do us harm.
  • We should identify the nature of the opposition we face—whether it's malice, injustice, or outright aggression—and bring it candidly before the LORD.
  • Ultimately, this verse calls believers to place their complete trust in God alone for deliverance and preservation. Even when surrounded by hostile forces or facing spiritual attacks, our ultimate security lies in His hands. David's earnest prayer for deliverance from enemies is a theme frequently echoed in his prayers, such as in Psalm 59:1.
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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Psalms 18:48

    He delivereth me from mine enemies: yea, thou liftest me up above those that rise up against me: thou hast delivered me from the violent man.

  • Psalms 140:4

    Keep me, O LORD, from the hands of the wicked; preserve me from the violent man; who have purposed to overthrow my goings.

  • Psalms 71:4

    Deliver me, O my God, out of the hand of the wicked, out of the hand of the unrighteous and cruel man.

  • Habakkuk 1:2

    O LORD, how long shall I cry, and thou wilt not hear! [even] cry out unto thee [of] violence, and thou wilt not save!

  • Habakkuk 1:3

    Why dost thou shew me iniquity, and cause [me] to behold grievance? for spoiling and violence [are] before me: and there are [that] raise up strife and contention.

  • Psalms 140:11

    Let not an evil speaker be established in the earth: evil shall hunt the violent man to overthrow [him].

  • Psalms 17:13

    Arise, O LORD, disappoint him, cast him down: deliver my soul from the wicked, [which is] thy sword:
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