Scripture Daily

Context No. 3393 of 4322 · Psalms

Context · Reflection

Psalms 140:1-13: in context

1Deliver me, LORD, from evil men. Preserve me from violent men: 2those who devise mischief in their hearts. They continually gather themselves together for war. 3They have sharpened their tongues like a serpent. Viper’s poison is under their lips. Selah. 4LORD, keep me from the hands of the wicked. Preserve me from the violent men who have determined to trip my feet. 5The proud have hidden a snare for me, they have spread the cords of a net by the path. They have set traps for me. Selah. 6I said to the LORD, “You are my God.” Listen to the cry of my petitions, LORD. 7LORD, the Lord, the strength of my salvation, you have covered my head in the day of battle. 8LORD, don’t grant the desires of the wicked. Don’t let their evil plans succeed, or they will become proud. Selah. 9As for the head of those who surround me, let the mischief of their own lips cover them. 10Let burning coals fall on them. Let them be thrown into the fire, into miry pits, from where they never rise. 11An evil speaker won’t be established on the earth. Evil will hunt the violent man to overthrow him. 12I know that the LORD will maintain the cause of the afflicted, and justice for the needy. 13Surely the righteous will give thanks to your name. The upright will dwell in your presence.

This is the prayer of someone hunted, surrounded by violent men who plot in their hearts, sharpen their tongues like serpents, and lay snares along his path. He cries out for their schemes to fail and recoil on themselves, the raw honesty of one under real threat. But notice where he turns and where he finally lands.

He does not take vengeance into his own hands. He brings it all to God: I said to the LORD, you are my God; the LORD is the strength of my salvation, who covered my head in the day of battle. And he ends not in bitterness but in confidence: I know that the LORD will maintain the cause of the afflicted and justice for the needy. The psalm shows what to do with fear, and even anger, when we are wronged, bring it honestly to God, entrust the justice to him, and rest in the assurance that he himself takes up the cause of the helpless. The vengeance is left in God's hands, not seized in our own.

When I am threatened or wronged, do I bring my fear and anger honestly to God and entrust the justice to him, trusting he upholds the cause of the afflicted?

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