Bible Strands
Psalms 140:1
For the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. Rescue me, O LORD, from evil men. Protect me from men of violence,
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — David addresses the LORD as the psalmist directs the choirmaster to lead this plea for deliverance. The speaker calls for protection from hostile individuals while facing active hostility.
The words — The verb חַלְּצֵ֣נִי (chal.letseni) literally commands "rescue me," while חֲמָסִ֣ים (chamasim) identifies the threat as men of violence. These terms frame the plea as a direct demand for physical and moral preservation.
The thread — This plea for rescue from violent men echoes in Psalms 18:48 and Psalms 71:4, where deliverance from enemies and the wicked is similarly requested. The theme continues in Psalms 140:4, which repeats the demand to be guarded from scheming men of violence.
Why it lands — The text demands a direct appeal to divine intervention rather than human retaliation. It requires the reader to acknowledge vulnerability and seek preservation from those who actively plot harm.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. Deliver me, O Lord, from the evil man: preserve me from the violent man;
Cross-references
- Psalms 18:48 who delivers me from my enemies. You exalt me above my foes; You rescue me from violent men.
- Psalms 71:4 Deliver me, O my God, from the hand of the wicked, from the grasp of the unjust and ruthless.
- Psalms 140:4 Guard me, O LORD, from the hands of the wicked. Keep me safe from men of violence who scheme to make me stumble.
- Habakkuk 1:2 How long, O LORD, must I call for help but You do not hear, or cry out to You, “Violence!” but You do not save?
- Psalms 17:13 Arise, O LORD, confront them! Bring them to their knees; deliver me from the wicked by Your sword,
- Psalms 140:11 May no slanderer be established in the land; may calamity hunt down the man of violence.
- Psalms 43:1 Vindicate me, O God, and plead my case against an ungodly nation; deliver me from deceitful and unjust men.
- Psalms 59:1 For the choirmaster. To the tune of “Do Not Destroy.” A Miktam of David, when Saul sent men to watch David’s house in order to kill him. Deliver me from my enemies, O my God; protect me from those who rise against me.