Guard Me, O Yahweh, From the Hands of the Wicked – Psalm 140

Though in one sense Jesus can say we are all evil (Luke 11:13), there are also those who are evil to such an extent that they threaten the lives of the righteous.

To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David.

Deliver me, O LORD, from evil men; preserve me from violent men, who plan evil things in their heart and stir up wars continually.  They make their tongue sharp as a serpent’s, and under their lips is the venom of asps. Selah

Guard me, O LORD, from the hands of the wicked; preserve me from violent men, who have planned to trip up my feet.  The arrogant have hidden a trap for me, and with cords they have spread a net; beside the way they have set snares for me. Selah

I say to the LORD, You are my God; give ear to the voice of my pleas for mercy, O LORD!  O LORD, my Lord, the strength of my salvation, you have covered my head in the day of battle.  Grant not, O LORD, the desires of the wicked; do not further their evil plot, or they will be exalted! Selah

As for the head of those who surround me, let the mischief of their lips overwhelm them!  Let burning coals fall upon them! Let them be cast into fire, into miry pits, no more to rise!  Let not the slanderer be established in the land; let evil hunt down the violent man speedily!

I know that the LORD will maintain the cause of the afflicted, and will execute justice for the needy.  Surely the righteous shall give thanks to your name; the upright shall dwell in your presence.  (Psalm 140 ESV)

The people David is asking deliverance from are described as evil, violent, wicked and arrogant. They are characterized as planners of evil, sowers of discord, hiders of snares, and slanderers of the righteous.  But Yahweh is David’s God who hears his pleas for mercy, who is the strength of his salvation, who covers his head in battle, who maintains the cause of the afflicted and who will execute justice for the needy.  David believed he would dwell in God’s presence and give Him thanks for delivering him.  So should we.