Deliver Me, O Lord, From Evil Men

A plea from the psalmist who seems to be in danger from his enemies. So the psalmist calls upon God to protect him against his wicked enemies. He even calls upon God to heap burning coals on them and cast them to fire. In his view the enemies are truly wicked and he asks God to stop them before they get exalted or established themselves.

Although this may sound harsh, but the psalmist acknowledges that God is on the side of the afflicted and the poor. Also that the righteous and upright will dwell with God.


Psalm 140
Prayer for Deliverance from Evil Men
To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David.

1 Deliver me, O Lord, from evil men;
Preserve me from violent men,

2 Who plan evil things in their hearts;
They continually gather together for war.

3 They sharpen their tongues like a serpent;
The poison of asps is under their lips. Selah

4 Keep me, O Lord, from the hands of the wicked;
Preserve me from violent men,
Who have purposed to make my steps stumble.

5 The proud have hidden a snare for me, and cords;
They have spread a net by the wayside;
They have set traps for me. Selah

6 I said to the Lord: “You are my God;
Hear the voice of my supplications, O Lord.

7 O GOD the Lord, the strength of my salvation,
You have covered my head in the day of battle.

8 Do not grant, O Lord, the desires of the wicked;
Do not further his wicked scheme,
Lest they be exalted. Selah

9 “As for the head of those who surround me,
Let the evil of their lips cover them;

10 Let burning coals fall upon them;
Let them be cast into the fire,
Into deep pits, that they rise not up again.

11 Let not a slanderer be established in the earth;
Let evil hunt the violent man to overthrow him.”

12 I know that the Lord will maintain
The cause of the afflicted,
And justice for the poor.

13 Surely the righteous shall give thanks to Your name;
The upright shall dwell in Your presence.