Click here to read PSALM 140 in poetic form.
Background
Psalm 140 is in the Deuteronomy Book of the Psalms (Psalms 107-150). These 44 Psalms, like the Book of Deuteronomy in the Old Testament, show God’s Word as the source of salvation, deliverance, and healing. This would be fully carried out in the life of the coming Messiah, the living Word, Jesus Christ. Psalm 140 shows the Messiah in his constant struggle with evil and violent men. Yet, His loving Father would save and protect him, bringing the ultimate and eternal victory!
This Psalm is divided into four sections by the Hebrew term “Selah,” which means to pause. Some Bible teachers say this connected the truths that come before and after the term.
Structure
(Verse 1) Prayer for deliverance from the evil and violent man
(Verses 2,3) Their evil heart and poisonous words
Pause
(Verse 4) Prayer for deliverance from the wicked and violent man
(Verse 5) Their evil heart and proud plans to ensnare
Pause
(Verses 6,7) Prayer for God’s salvation and protection
(Verse 8) The wicked and their devices
Pause
(Verses 9-11) Prayer for God to overwhelm the evil speaker and violent man
(Verses 12,13) The affliction of the wicked overcome by the Lord
Key Scriptures
Verse 3—“They have sharpened their tongues like a serpent; adders’ poison is under their lips. Selah.” Those who are “anti-Christ” today still speak words, like serpent’s venom, to deny what God has done in His Son. This verse is quoted, along with many other Old Testament scriptures in Romans 3. “Their throat is an open sepulchre; with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps is under their lips” (Romans 3:13). The context in Romans shows that all men, Judean or Gentile, are lost and helpless without God and His Messiah, Jesus Christ.
Verse 6—“I said unto the Lord, Thou art my God: hear the voice of my supplications, O Lord.” Jesus always went to the Father for help from the plots and snares of the wicked, as described here in verse 8 as “his wicked device.” Jesus trusted in his Father and could boldly say “Thou art my God!”
FOR FURTHER STUDY
All 150 of The Psalms in Poetic Form are available from Amazon in a book, either Large Print or a smaller Bedside Reader.
The Background, Structure, and Key Scriptures for all 150 Psalms are available from Amazon in a book The Psalms: Background & Structure with Key Scriptures Explained.
