Psalms 140:1

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.