Psalm 140 1

Psalm 140:1 kjv

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

Psalm 140:1 nkjv

To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David. Deliver me, O LORD, from evil men; Preserve me from violent men,

Psalm 140:1 niv

For the director of music. A psalm of David. Rescue me, LORD, from evildoers; protect me from the violent,

Psalm 140:1 esv

Deliver me, O LORD, from evil men; preserve me from violent men,

Psalm 140:1 nlt

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

Psalm 140 verses

Psalm 140 1 Meaning

Psalm 140:1 is a fervent cry of King David to the Lord, seeking immediate rescue and ongoing protection from malicious and oppressive adversaries. It expresses a deep dependence on God for deliverance from those who devise evil and practice violence. The verse sets the stage for the entire Psalm, highlighting the petitioner's distressed state due to the relentless attacks and malevolent intentions of his enemies, whom he labels as "evil" and "violent" men.

Psalm 140 1 Context

Psalm 140 is a lament of David, possibly written during a period of intense persecution by powerful and malicious enemies, such as during the time of Saul's pursuit or later conspiratorial efforts (e.g., Absalom's rebellion). It is part of a collection of Psalms (often referred to as the "Songs of Ascents" though 140 is not officially one) that often deal with themes of distress, trust in God, and prayer for divine intervention. Verse 1 serves as the opening plea, introducing the primary threat—evil and violent men—and setting the tone for the specific appeals for protection and justice that follow in the rest of the chapter. David's experience under threat from people like Doeg the Edomite (implied by language of mischief and slander in subsequent verses of the Psalm) fits the depiction of those who scheme evil.

Psalm 140 1 Word analysis

• Deliver (Hebrew: חָלַץ, ḥālatz): This verb means "to draw out," "to set free," "to rescue," or "to arm oneself." Here, it signifies an urgent, decisive act of extraction or extrication from danger. It implies a perilous situation from which David cannot free himself.
• Me (Hebrew: אֹותִי, oti): The suffix clearly indicates a personal, direct plea, emphasizing David's immediate and desperate need for divine intervention in his specific circumstance.
• O Lord (Hebrew: יְהוָה, YHWH, The personal, covenantal name of God): This address highlights David's appeal to God's character as faithful, sovereign, and deeply invested in His people. It’s an appeal to the God who is intimately involved in His creation and covenants. This term implies a relationship and an expectation based on God's historical faithfulness.
• From evil men (Hebrew: מֵאָדָם רָע, mê'ādām raʿ):
  • Evil (רָע, raʿ): This term describes moral depravity, maliciousness, and active harm. It goes beyond mere badness; it refers to hostile intent and deeds.
  • Men (אָדָם, 'ādām): Refers to humankind generally, often used when speaking of humanity in its frail or sinful nature. Here, it denotes specific individuals who embody wickedness.
• Preserve (Hebrew: תִּנְצְרֵנִי, tinṣereni from נָצַר, natsar): This verb means "to guard," "to keep," "to protect," or "to watch over." While "deliver" is about a sudden rescue, "preserve" speaks to ongoing protection and careful watchfulness over the long term, preventing future harm or recurrence of the threat. It suggests a constant divine vigilance.
• From violent men (Hebrew: מֵאִישׁ חֲמָסִים, mê'îš ḥamāssîm):
  • Violent (חֲמָסִים, ḥamāssîm, plural of חָמָס, ḥāmās): This word signifies more than physical violence; it encompasses oppressive wrong, cruelty, injustice, and deliberate aggression. It refers to those who deal treacherously, causing harm through malice and destructive force. It is the kind of aggressive evil seen, for instance, in the generation before the flood (Gen 6:11, 13).
  • Men (אִישׁ, 'îsh): Often used for specific individuals, often of standing or particular character, unlike the broader 'ādām. Here it describes persons defined by their character of violence and oppression.

Words-Group Analysis:

• Deliver me… preserve me: This forms a synonymous parallelism, a common poetic device in Psalms. The first phrase expresses the immediate need for liberation from active harm, while the second deepens it by asking for sustained protection from potential future harm. It signifies both an initial rescue and continuous safeguarding.
• Evil men… violent men: This pairing highlights the multifaceted nature of the threat David faced. "Evil men" emphasizes their inherent moral corruption and wicked intentions, while "violent men" points to the destructive actions, oppressive deeds, and cruel nature stemming from that wickedness. The "evil" describes their character; "violent" describes their actions and intent to harm. Together, they represent a severe and comprehensive threat, both in thought and deed.

Psalm 140 1 Bonus Section

• The Nature of Lament Psalms: Psalm 140 is a prime example of a lament psalm, which typically includes an address to God, a complaint, a petition, a confession of trust, and sometimes a vow of praise. This verse encapsulates the direct petition, initiating the complaint that follows.
• Trust in Contrast to Self-Reliance: David's prayer here stands in stark contrast to reliance on one's own strength, cunning, or retribution. His immediate recourse is to the covenant God, reflecting a mature faith that acknowledges divine sovereignty over human conflict. This sets a foundational principle for believers: our help comes from the Lord, not from our own power to overcome adversaries or repay evil with evil.
• Spiritual Application: While the enemies are earthly, "evil men" also points to the broader reality of spiritual wickedness influencing human behavior (Eph 6:12). David's plea can thus be understood as a prototype for asking God for deliverance from all forms of evil, both human and demonic in origin, that seek to oppress or harm the righteous.

Psalm 140 1 Commentary

Psalm 140:1 opens with a heartfelt, desperate cry for divine intervention from David. Faced with adversaries whose core nature is evil and whose actions are violent, David recognizes his utter helplessness and places his entire reliance upon the Lord, YHWH. The twofold appeal—"deliver" and "preserve"—encapsulates both a rescue from an immediate, imminent threat and a plea for ongoing protection against persistent hostility. This distinction is crucial: he needs to be extracted from present danger and then guarded from subsequent assaults. The terms "evil men" ('ādām raʿ) point to their corrupted moral character and malicious intent, while "violent men" ('îsh ḥamāssîm) highlight their active, oppressive, and unjust behavior, potentially including physical aggression, but certainly cruel wrongdoing. This verse serves as a model for all believers in times of persecution or unjust attack: to immediately turn to God as the ultimate protector and deliverer, trusting His power to rescue from visible and invisible dangers, acknowledging Him as the sole source of safety in a world full of malevolence. For practical usage, one could consider it in contexts like facing slander, enduring unjust legal proceedings, or dealing with persistent malicious bullying.