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The Bible · 618 of 1189
Psalms 140
1.Deliver me, O LORD, from the evil man: preserve me from the violent man;
2.Which imagine mischiefs in their heart; continually are they gathered together for war.
3.They have sharpened their tongues like a serpent; adders’ poison is under their lips. Selah.
4.Keep me, O LORD, from the hands of the wicked; preserve me from the violent man; who have purposed to overthrow my goings.
5.The proud have hid a snare for me, and cords; they have spread a net by the wayside; they have set gins for me. Selah.
6.I said unto the LORD, Thou art my God: hear the voice of my supplications, O LORD.
7.O GOD the Lord, the strength of my salvation, thou hast covered my head in the day of battle.
8.Grant not, O LORD, the desires of the wicked: further not his wicked device; lest they exalt themselves. Selah.
9.As for the head of those that compass me about, let the mischief of their own lips cover them.
10.Let burning coals fall upon them: let them be cast into the fire; into deep pits, that they rise not up again.
11.Let not an evil speaker be established in the earth: evil shall hunt the violent man to overthrow him.
12.I know that the LORD will maintain the cause of the afflicted, and the right of the poor.
13.Surely the righteous shall give thanks unto thy name: the upright shall dwell in thy presence.
Asked of Guide
Why does the psalmist ask God to let mischief and fire fall on his enemies?
The psalmist prays for God to neutralize threats with vivid imagery — “burning coals,” “deep pits,” and the mischief of their own lips — because those enemies plot “mischiefs” and set snares that endanger his life and walk. He frames these images as appeals for divine justice and protection, trusting “O GOD the Lord, the strength of my salvation” to act decisively in the day of battle.
This complaint and cry for vindication fits the complaint-poem pattern found elsewhere in Psalms, especially Psalm 7 where David also asks God to bring enemies’ own schemes upon them. The request expresses confidence that God will “maintain the cause of the afflicted” so the righteous may “give thanks” and “dwell in thy presence.”
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