Psalms Chapter 140

Chapter Overview

Psalm 140 is a psalm of petition and moral defense in the face of relentless hostility. The speaker cries out for deliverance from the evil and violent—those who imagine mischiefs in their hearts and gather for war. The imagery is sharp and visceral: tongues like serpents, poison under lips, a snare and nets set along the way. This is not merely political threat; it is personal spiritual warfare. The psalmist asks for protection from the wicked and the schemes they weave to overthrow one’s path.

The middle of the psalm turns to an appeal to God’s strength as salvation’s source: “O God the Lord, the strength of my salvation, thou hast covered my head in the day of battle.” The narrator requests not only defense but discernment—grant not the desires of the wicked and their devices. The prayer escalates into a request that the wicked be confounded by their own schemes and that the righteous are kept from being ensnared. The closing assurance states that the Lord will sustain the afflicted, maintain the right of the poor, and that the righteous will praise God’s name. The psalm thus moves from danger and lament to confident trust in divine justice and protection.

Historical & Literary Context

Psalm 140 sits within the Psalter’s tradition of prayers for safety amid oppression, violence, and social injustice. Likely composed during periods of political upheaval or personal danger, it uses vivid metaphor to articulate moral boundaries and divine judgment. The genre is a lament with a petition for deliverance, but it also embodies a defensive posture—asking God to keep the righteous from being consumed by the schemes of the wicked.

In its immediate literary context, it shares thematic space with other imprecatory or protective psalms, where prayer is a direct appeal to God as judge and shield. The unity of the Psalm’s voice—acknowledging human vulnerability, naming the threats, and invoking divine intervention—reflects a robust biblical spirituality that seeks justice without resorting to vengeance, ultimately trusting God to set things right.

Key Themes

- Protection from manipulation and violence: Prayer for safety from those who craft harm and snares.

- The power of speech and deceit: The imagery of serpents’ tongues and poisonous lips highlights morally dangerous communication.

- Divine strength as salvation: God is depicted as the shield and source of deliverance in battle.

- Divine justice against the wicked: A plea that the wicked’ own devices rebound on them, and that the faithful are sustained.

- Trust in God amid oppression: The psalm ends with confidence that the righteous will praise God’s name, even under threat.

Modern Application

Psalm 140 speaks to contemporary experiences of workplace hostility, social polarization, or personal danger where words wound and structures threaten. It teaches believers to name injustice honestly, to seek God’s protection, and to pray for justice while resisting the impulse to respond in kind with vengeance. The psalm’s emphasis on the power of speech invites reflective communication—how we talk about others, how we use social media, and how we guard our own tongues against harm.

Practically, it can guide crisis prayer, advocacy for the vulnerable, and ethical discernment in conflict. It also reinforces the hope that God will ultimately set things right, even when human institutions fail. The psalm encourages believers to anchor their security in divine refuge rather than in power, popularity, or retaliation.

Cross-References: Psalm 10; Psalm 64; Psalm 91; Isaiah 33:5–6; James 3

Recommended Personas: David; Moses (leader in crisis and prayer); Jesus (the innocent sufferer who prays for judgment with mercy)