Psalms
Chapter 140
David asks God to rescue him from violent men who plan harm, use words like poison, and set traps along his path. He calls God the strength who shielded his head in battle, and he asks God not to let the wicked get what they want. The psalm ends with confidence that God defends poor and hurting people, and that honest people will live in God's presence.
Plain reading written for preteens. Clear and complete, at about a fifth grade reading level.
Deliver me, O LORD, from the evil man: preserve me from the violent man;
1LORD, save me from the evil man. Keep me safe from the violent man.
2Which imagine mischiefs in their heart; continually are they gathered together for war.
2They plan harm in their hearts. Every day they stir up fights.
3They have sharpened their tongues like a serpent; adders’ poison is under their lips. Selah.
3Their tongues are sharp like a snake's. Poison like a snake's is on their lips. Selah.
"Selah" is a Hebrew word left untranslated. It seems to mark a pause or a musical break in the song.
4Keep me, O LORD, from the hands of the wicked; preserve me from the violent man; who have purposed to overthrow my goings.
4LORD, keep me out of the hands of wicked people. Keep me safe from violent men who plan to trip me up.
5The proud have hid a snare for me, and cords; they have spread a net by the wayside; they have set gins for me. Selah.
5Proud men have hidden a trap for me, with ropes. They spread a net beside the road. They set snares to catch me. Selah.
The KJV word "gins" means traps or snares, the kind set to catch an animal.
6I said unto the LORD, Thou art my God: hear the voice of my supplications, O LORD.
6I said to the LORD, "You are my God." LORD, listen when I beg you for help.
7O GOD the Lord, the strength of my salvation, thou hast covered my head in the day of battle.
7LORD God, you are the strong one who saves me. You covered my head on the day of battle.
8Grant not, O LORD, the desires of the wicked: further not his wicked device; lest they exalt themselves. Selah.
8LORD, do not give wicked people what they want. Do not let their evil plans work, or they will grow proud.
9As for the head of those that compass me about, let the mischief of their own lips cover them.
9The men who surround me have caused trouble with their words. Let that same trouble come down on their own heads.
10Let burning coals fall upon them: let them be cast into the fire; into deep pits, that they rise not up again.
10Let burning coals fall on them. Let them be thrown into fire, into deep pits, and never climb out.
11Let not an evil speaker be established in the earth: evil shall hunt the violent man to overthrow him.
11Do not let a man who spreads lies about others last long in the land. Let disaster hunt down the violent man and bring him down.
In the KJV, "an evil speaker" is someone who spreads damaging lies about other people.
12I know that the LORD will maintain the cause of the afflicted, and the right of the poor.
12I know the LORD will take up the case of people who are suffering. He will see that poor people get justice.
13Surely the righteous shall give thanks unto thy name: the upright shall dwell in thy presence.
13People who do right will surely thank you. Honest people will live in your presence.
← → to turn the page · P for plain English · click a verse to sit with it