Psalms 140:1
Psalms 140:1 in Multiple Translations
Rescue me, O LORD, from evil men. Protect me from men of violence,
Deliver me, O LORD, from the evil man: preserve me from the violent man;
Deliver me, O Jehovah, from the evil man; Preserve me from the violent man:
O Lord, take me out of the power of the evil man; keep me safe from the violent man:
Lord, please save me from those who do evil; protect me especially from those who are violent!
To him that excelleth. A Psalme of David. Deliuer me, O Lord, from the euill man: preserue me from the cruel man:
To the Overseer. — A Psalm of David. Deliver me, O Jehovah, from an evil man, From one of violence Thou keepest me.
Deliver me, LORD, from evil men. Preserve me from violent men:
To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. Deliver me, O LORD, from the evil man: preserve me from the violent man;
I have cried to the, O Lord, hear me: hearken to my voice, when I cry to thee.
Yahweh, rescue/save me from being attacked by evil men; and even more, ◄keep me safe/protect me► from being attacked by violent people.
Berean Amplified Bible — Psalms 140:1
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Psalms 140:1 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
לַ/מְנַצֵּ֗חַ
מִזְמ֥וֹר
לְ/דָוִֽד
לַ/מְנַצֵּ֗חַ
nâtsach
H5329
to conduct
Prep | V-Piel
מִזְמ֥וֹר
mizmôwr
H4210
melody
N-ms
לְ/דָוִֽד
Dâvid
H1732
David
Prep | N-proper
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Psalms 140:1
לַ/מְנַצֵּ֗חַ
nâtsach
H5329
"to conduct"
Prep | V-Piel
To conduct or oversee, this word describes a leader or chief musician. In the Bible, it is used in the book of Psalms to describe the role of a music director. The word implies a sense of leadership and guidance.
Definition: 1) to excel, be bright, be preeminent, be perpetual, be overseer, be enduring 1a) (Niphal) enduring (participle) 1b) (Piel) to act as overseer or superintendent or director or chief Aramaic equivalent: ne.tsach (נְצַח "to distinguish oneself" H5330)
Usage: Occurs in 65 OT verses. KJV: excel, chief musician (singer), oversee(-r), set forward. See also: 1 Chronicles 15:21; Psalms 49:1; Psalms 4:1.
מִזְמ֥וֹר
mizmôwr
H4210
"melody"
N-ms
This word refers to a melody or song, often with instrumental music. In the Bible, it is used to describe a psalm or poem set to notes. The KJV translates it as psalm.
Definition: melody, psalm
Usage: Occurs in 57 OT verses. KJV: psalm. See also: Psalms 3:1; Psalms 63:1; Psalms 4:1.
לְ/דָוִֽד
Dâvid
H1732
"David"
Prep | N-proper
David was the youngest son of Jesse and a king of Judah, first mentioned in Ruth 4:17, and an ancestor of Jesus.
Definition: A king of the tribe of Judah living at the time of United Monarchy, first mentioned at Rut.4.17; son of: Jesse (H3448) and Nahash (H5176I); brother of: Eliab (H0446I), Abinadab (H0041I), Shimeah (H8093), Zeruiah (H6870), Abigail (H0026H)(?), Nethanel (H5417H), Raddai (H7288), Ozem (H0684) and Elihu (H0453J); married to Michal (H4324), Abigail (H0026), Ahinoam (H0293H), Maacah (H4601I), Haggith (H2294), Abital (H0037), Eglah (H5698) and Bathsheba (H1339); father of: Amnon (H0550), Chileab (H3609), Absalom (H0053), Adonijah (H0138), Shephatiah (H8203), Ithream (H3507), Shammua (H8051H), Shobab (H7727), Nathan (H5416), Solomon (H8010), Ibhar (H2984), Elishua (H0474), Nepheg (H5298H), Japhia (H3309I), Elishama (H0476H), Eliada (H0450), Eliphelet (H0467), Tamar (H8559H), Elpelet (H0467I), Nogah (H5052) and Jerimoth (H3406N) Also named: Daueid, Dauid, Dabid (Δαυείδ, Δαυίδ, Δαβίδ "David" G1138) § David = "beloved" youngest son of Jesse and second king of Israel
Usage: Occurs in 912 OT verses. KJV: David. See also: Ruth 4:17; 1 Samuel 20:41; 1 Samuel 27:9.
Study Notes — Psalms 140:1
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Psalms 140:1 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Psalms 140:1
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 140:1
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Psalms 140:1
- Trapp's Commentary on Psalms 140:1
- Ellicott's Commentary on Psalms 140:1
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Psalms 140:1
- Cambridge Bible on Psalms 140:1
- Barnes' Notes on Psalms 140:1
- Whedon's Commentary on Psalms 140:1
- Sermons on Psalms 140:1
Context — Rescue Me from Evil Men
1Rescue me, O LORD, from evil men. Protect me from men of violence,
2who devise evil in their hearts and stir up war all day long. 3They sharpen their tongues like snakes; the venom of vipers is on their lips. SelahCross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Psalms 18:48 | who delivers me from my enemies. You exalt me above my foes; You rescue me from violent men. |
| 2 | 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. |
| 3 | Psalms 71:4 | Deliver me, O my God, from the hand of the wicked, from the grasp of the unjust and ruthless. |
| 4 | Habakkuk 1:2–3 | 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? Why do You make me see iniquity? Why do You tolerate wrongdoing? Destruction and violence are before me. Strife is ongoing, and conflict abounds. |
| 5 | Psalms 140:11 | May no slanderer be established in the land; may calamity hunt down the man of violence. |
| 6 | Psalms 17:13 | Arise, O LORD, confront them! Bring them to their knees; deliver me from the wicked by Your sword, |
| 7 | Psalms 43:1 | Vindicate me, O God, and plead my case against an ungodly nation; deliver me from deceitful and unjust men. |
| 8 | Psalms 59:1–3 | Deliver me from my enemies, O my God; protect me from those who rise against me. Deliver me from workers of iniquity, and save me from men of bloodshed. See how they lie in wait for me. Fierce men conspire against me for no transgression or sin of my own, O LORD. |
Psalms 140:1 Summary
The psalmist is asking God to rescue him from people who want to hurt him, and to protect him from their violence, because he knows that God is his deliverer and protector, as seen in Psalms 23:4. This verse reminds us that we can always turn to God for help when we feel scared or threatened, and that he will be with us, even in difficult times, as promised in Deuteronomy 31:6. Just like the psalmist, we can pray for God's protection and rescue, and trust that he will take care of us, as taught in Matthew 6:13, where we are told to pray for deliverance from evil.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of evil men is the psalmist asking to be rescued from in Psalms 140:1?
The psalmist is asking to be rescued from men who intend to harm him, as seen in their violent actions and evil plans, similar to what is described in Proverbs 6:16-19, where the Lord hates hands that shed innocent blood and hearts that devise wicked plans.
Why does the psalmist need protection from these men?
The psalmist needs protection because these men are violent and their intentions are to cause harm, as stated in Psalms 140:1, and the psalmist is aware of his own limitations and inability to defend himself against such evil, as expressed in Psalms 55:22, where he casts his cares on the Lord.
How does this relate to Jesus' teachings?
Jesus taught that we should love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us, as seen in Matthew 5:44, but this does not mean that we should not seek protection or rescue from harm, as the psalmist does in Psalms 140:1, and as Jesus himself did when he prayed for deliverance in the garden of Gethsemane, as recorded in Matthew 26:39
What does this verse reveal about God's character?
This verse reveals that God is a deliverer and a protector, who cares about the well-being of his people, as stated in Psalms 23:4, where the Lord is described as being with us, even in the valley of the shadow of death, and in Deuteronomy 31:6, where the Lord commands us to be strong and courageous, because he will never leave us or forsake us
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways that I can seek rescue from the evil that surrounds me, just like the psalmist does in Psalms 140:1?
- How can I trust in God's protection when I feel threatened or scared, as the psalmist does in this verse?
- What are some practical ways that I can apply the principle of loving my enemies, as taught by Jesus in Matthew 5:44, while still seeking protection from harm, as the psalmist does in Psalms 140:1?
- In what ways can I be more aware of the evil that is present in the world, and how can I pray for protection and rescue, just like the psalmist does in this verse?
Gill's Exposition on 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.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 140:1
Deliver me, O LORD, from the evil man: preserve me from the violent man; Psalms 140:1-13 -Prayer to Yahweh; wickedness of the foe from whom David prays deliverance (Psalms 140:1-5); the distress laid
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Psalms 140:1
Psalms 140 THE This Psalm was composed by David upon occasion of those slanderous and reproachful speeches and treacherous dealings which David had from his enemies in Saul’ s tithe, of which we have an account in the history. The psalmist prayeth for deliverance and safety from wicked men, , for judgment upon them, , and comforteth himself with an assurance of God’ s righteousness, ,13. Either Saul or Doeg, or some other malicious enemy, or rather enemies; the word man being taken collectively for men, as appears from the next verse, where he speaks of this man in the plural number.
Trapp's Commentary on Psalms 140:1
Psalms 140:1 « To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. » Deliver me, O LORD, from the evil man: preserve me from the violent man;Ver. 1. Deliver me O Lord, from the evil man] Made of malice, in which is steeped the venom of all vices. Preserve me from the violent man] Man of violences, who, vulture-like, liveth by rapine. Such were Saul and his informers.
Ellicott's Commentary on Psalms 140:1
(1) Evil man.—The singular of the object in this verse must not lead us to think the psalm is an expression of personal feeling against one enemy, for it is immediately changed to the plural. Violent man.—See Margin.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Psalms 140:1
PSALM CXL The psalmist prays against his enemies, 1-6; returns thanks for help, 7; describes his enemies, and prays farther against them, 8-11. His confidence in God, 12, 13. NOTES ON PSALM CXL The Hebrew, and all the Versions, attribute this Psalm to David; and it is supposed to contain his complaint when persecuted by Saul. The Syriac determines it to the time when Saul endeavoured to transfix David with his spear. Verse 1. From the evil man] Saul, who was full of envy, jealousy, and cruelty against David, to whom both himself and his kingdom were under the highest obligations, endeavoured by every means to destroy him.
Cambridge Bible on Psalms 140:1
1–3. Prayer for deliverance from the machinations of calumnious enemies.
Barnes' Notes on Psalms 140:1
Deliver me, O Lord, from the evil man - That is, evidently from some particular man who was endeavoring to injure him; some personal enemy. All the circumstances mentioned agree well with the supposition that Saul is intended.
Whedon's Commentary on Psalms 140:1
1. Deliver me… preserve me—The first verb is in the imperative, the second in the indicative future, thus: Deliver me… thou wilt preserve me. The first is a prayer, the second an expression of confidence in the answer of prayer.
Sermons on Psalms 140:1
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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David's Prayer for Deliverance by Chuck Smith | In this sermon, Pastor Chuck Smith discusses the distress and brokenness that can be felt in life. He uses the analogy of chopping wood and the scattered chips to describe the scat |
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Push Back the Darkness by Carter Conlon | The sermon titled 'Push Back the Darkness' emphasizes the urgent need to stand against the prevailing darkness and lawlessness in society, calling for a spiritual awakening and a p |
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Commentary on Psalm 136-150 by Chuck Smith | Chuck Smith delivers a profound commentary on Psalms 136-150, emphasizing the enduring mercy of God as a central theme throughout the psalms. He highlights the importance of gratit |
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Exposition on Psalm 141 by St. Augustine | St. Augustine preaches on the Psalms, highlighting the depth and richness of the verses that may seem obscure at first but reveal familiar truths when expounded. He delves into the |
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Questioning God by David Platt | This sermon delves into the book of Habakkuk, where the prophet wrestles with God over injustice, evil, and suffering. Habakkuk questions God's actions amidst the impending Babylon |
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(Through the Bible) Galatians 3 by Chuck Smith | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes that true belief in God is not just a verbal assent to the truth, but it is demonstrated through actions. He uses the example of a hypotheti |
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The Victory of Faith by Chuck Smith | In this sermon, the speaker discusses the challenges and injustices faced in a society filled with gang warfare and corruption in the legal system. The speaker shares a personal ex |