Psalms Chapter 140
Showing all 13 verses for Psalms Chapter 140.
The People's Bible is written by people, for the people. Each verse below shows:
"Deliver me, O LORD, from the evil man: preserve me from the violent man; "
"Rescue me, LORD, from evil people; protect me from violent people."
When you're genuinely afraid of someone who wishes you harm, it's right to ask plainly for protection - you don't need fancy words. Bring your fear to me directly, the way this prayer does.
"Which imagine mischiefs in their heart; continually are they gathered together for war. "
"They plot trouble in their hearts and are constantly banding together for conflict."
If you're facing people who consistently and deliberately work against you, it's not paranoia to name that pattern clearly. Naming a real threat honestly is not the same as being unforgiving.
"They have sharpened their tongues like a serpent; adders’ poison is under their lips. Selah. "
"They've sharpened their tongues like a snake; venom sits under their lips. Pause and reflect on that."
Words can wound as badly as weapons - never underestimate what you say about someone, or dismiss what's been said about you as trivial. Be someone whose words heal rather than poison.
"Keep me, O LORD, from the hands of the wicked; preserve me from the violent man; who have purposed to overthrow my goings. "
"Keep me, LORD, out of the hands of wicked people; protect me from violent people who intend to trip me up and bring me down."
It's fine to ask for the same thing more than once when you're truly afraid - persistence in prayer isn't a lack of faith, it's honesty about how much something matters to you.
"The proud have hid a snare for me, and cords; they have spread a net by the wayside; they have set gins for me. Selah. "
"Arrogant people have hidden a trap for me, laid cords, spread a net along the path, and set snares to catch me. Pause and reflect on that."
Living under the threat of hidden manipulation or betrayal is genuinely exhausting - I see that weight, even when others can't. You're not overreacting by staying alert to real danger.
"I said unto the LORD, Thou art my God: hear the voice of my supplications, O LORD. "
"I said to the LORD, 'You are my God - listen to the sound of my pleas, LORD.'"
When everything around you feels like a threat, it helps to state plainly what you still know to be true and steady. Ground yourself in that, then keep asking for what you need.
"O GOD the Lord, the strength of my salvation, thou hast covered my head in the day of battle. "
"Lord God, the strength that saves me - you have protected my head on the day of battle."
Look back at times you've already come through danger - that history is real evidence, not wishful thinking, that you can get through what's in front of you now.
"Grant not, O LORD, the desires of the wicked: further not his wicked device; lest they exalt themselves. Selah. "
"LORD, don't give the wicked what they want; don't let their evil plans succeed, or they'll become arrogant about it. Pause and reflect on that."
When you ask for wrongdoing to be stopped, it's not only about protecting yourself - unpunished cruelty tends to grow bolder. Wanting justice for its own sake is a legitimate thing to want.
"As for the head of those that compass me about, let the mischief of their own lips cover them. "
"As for those surrounding me, let the trouble their own mouths caused fall back on their own heads."
When someone has hurt you with cruel words, it's healthier to hand that over and ask for justice than to spend your energy plotting payback yourself. Let the reckoning belong to something bigger than your own grudge.
"Let burning coals fall upon them: let them be cast into the fire; into deep pits, that they rise not up again. "
"Let burning coals fall on them; let them be thrown into fire, into deep pits they can't climb out of."
When you're in real danger from people who mean to destroy you, it's human to want their downfall in vivid, even violent terms. I'd rather you say that to me honestly than act on it yourself - bringing rage to God is different from taking vengeance with your own hands.
"Let not an evil speaker be established in the earth: evil shall hunt the violent man to overthrow him. "
"Don't let a slanderer become established and secure on earth; let evil chase down the violent man until he's brought down."
Cruelty rarely builds anything that lasts - it tends to unravel the person who relies on it. You don't need to speed that process up yourself; give it time.
"I know that the LORD will maintain the cause of the afflicted, and the right of the poor. "
"I know that the LORD will defend the cause of those who are suffering and uphold justice for the poor."
If you've ever felt powerless against people with more influence than you, know this: fairness for the vulnerable matters to me deeply, even when it's slow in coming. You're not invisible, and your cause is not forgotten.
"Surely the righteous shall give thanks unto thy name: the upright shall dwell in thy presence. "
"Surely the righteous will give thanks to your name; honest people will live in your presence."
Hold onto the belief that a good, honest life is heading somewhere worthwhile, even in seasons that feel dangerous or unfair. That hope is what carries you through the hard middle part.