Psalm 140:1

For the director of music. A psalm of David.

1 ^[a]Rescue me, LORD, from evildoers; protect me from the violent,

Psalm 140:1 in Other Translations

1 Deliver me, O LORD, from the evil man: preserve me from the violent man;

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

1 O LORD, rescue me from evil people. Protect me from those who are violent,

1 God, get me out of here, away from this evil; protect me from these vicious people.

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

1 Rescue me from evil people, O LORD. Keep me safe from violent people.

1 Rescue me, Lord, from evil men. Keep me safe from violent men

1 Lord, save me from sinful men. Keep me safe from those who want to hurt me.

Psalm 140:1 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 140:1

Deliver me, O Lord, from the evil man
Either Saul; so Theodoret; or rather Doeg, according to R. Obadiah: but Jarchi interprets it of Esau; by whom he means Edom, or Rome, or rather the Christians in general. Were his sense confined to the Papists, he might be thought to be much in the right; for this is applicable enough to the man of sin, and his followers: for it may be understood collectively of a body of evil men; all men are evil by nature, their hearts, thoughts, words, works, and ways. David's enemies were evil men; and so were Christ's; as Herod, Judas in particular, and the Jews in general: and such are the enemies of God's people; the world, profane sinners, persecutors, and false teachers; and to be delivered from such is desirable, and to be prayed for, and an happiness when enjoyed; see ( 2 Thessalonians 3:2 ) ;

preserve me from the violent man:
or, "the man of violences" ^F8; of a violent spirit, that breathes out slaughter and death; of a fierce countenance, of blustering words, and furious actions. Such a man was Doeg; who loved evil, and all devouring words, devised mischief, and boasted in it, ( Psalms 52:1-4 ) ; and Herod, who in his wrath, being disappointed, ordered sit the infants in and about Bethlehem to be slain; and the Jews, who were violently set on the death of Christ, and vehemently desired it: and such are all violent persecutors of the church of God, who clothe themselves with the garment of violence, and drink the wine of it; and to be preserved from such is a great mercy.

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FOOTNOTES:

F8 (Myomx vyam) "a viro violentiarum", Piscator, Gejerus, Michaelis.

Psalm 140:1 In-Context

1 Rescue me, LORD, from evildoers; protect me from the violent,

2 who devise evil plans in their hearts and stir up war every day.

3 They make their tongues as sharp as a serpent’s; the poison of vipers is on their lips.

4 Keep me safe, LORD, from the hands of the wicked; protect me from the violent, who devise ways to trip my feet.

5 The arrogant have hidden a snare for me; they have spread out the cords of their net and have set traps for me along my path.

Cross References

• 1. Psalms 17:13; S Psalms 25:20; Psalms 59:2; Psalms 71:4; Psalms 142:6; Psalms 143:9
• 2. ver 11; Psalms 86:14; Psalms 18:48

Footnotes

• [a] In Hebrew texts 140:1-13 is numbered 140:2-14.