Psalm 140 - Scary Plotters

Psalm 140:1-13 NIV

Rescue me, Lord, from evildoers; protect me from the violent,

 who devise evil plans in their hearts and stir up war every day. 

They make their tongues as sharp as a serpent’s; the poison of vipers is on their lips.

Keep me safe, Lord, from the hands of the wicked;

 protect me from the violent, who devise ways to trip my feet. 

The arrogant have hidden a snare for me;

 they have spread out the cords of their net and have set traps for me along my path.

I say to the Lord, “You are my God.” Hear, Lord, my cry for mercy.

Sovereign Lord, my strong deliverer, you shield my head in the day of battle. 

Do not grant the wicked their desires, Lord; do not let their plans succeed.

Those who surround me proudly rear their heads;

 may the mischief of their lips engulf them. 

May burning coals fall on them;

 may they be thrown into the fire, into miry pits, never to rise. 

May slanderers not be established in the land; may disaster hunt down the violent.

I know that the Lord secures justice for the poor and upholds the cause of the needy. 

Surely the righteous will praise your name, and the upright will live in your presence.

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Psalm 140 is a prayer for deliverance from plotters and schemers. The psalmist asks for rescue and protection. He seeks the Lord for protection from the evil planned for him. The wicked have set a trap. Their tongues speak words that pierce like a sharp blade.

The psalmist clearly acknowledges God as the one in charge of the situation. He knows the Lord as a shield protecting him in this battle. He relies on the Lord's strength. He seeks the Lord's favour in this contest. "Don't let them win," he pleas.

He prays that the evil planned for him might fall upon those who plan evil. The psalmist's confidence is in the Lord's compassion for those in need, the poor who cry out to Him. He hopes in the Lord's vindication, for the psalmist feels he is in the right.

This psalm would be great for people in public office or other places of leadership. When the psalmist prays that slanderers not be established in the land, that sounds like political rule, or at least social influence. We all know politics in America get dirty. Slander of every sort is brought against those in office or against those vying for a seat of power. This psalm seeks a world where liars are not in charge, where cheaters are not allowed to lead. Justice, in the mind of the psalmist, is for his opponents to suffer the very evil they've planned for him. He believes in a world where God does not let the wicked succeed.

How I wish I lived in that world. I wish I had that kind of confidence. More often than not my worldview is deeply cynical. Everything is a scam, a ruse for some hidden agenda. There's not much that is real. The news broadcasters spin stories that are politically biased. Marketers lie to us about their products and services all the time. Whoever tells the best version of lies gets into office or wins the market share. I hunger for authenticity, for something real. And I know I'm not the only one.

A psalm like this challenges me to have hope, to increase my faith, and to not let cynicism edge out God. It invites me to trust that God is in control and while slanderers and liars, plotters and schemers, get the upper hand, they will not last. In time their evil intent will catch up with them, and they will quickly be devoured by their own wicked dealings.

Lord, increase my faith. Help me to believe in your deliverance from the wicked who seem to be running things. As I've said before, we get the leadership we deserve. Help us to turn to You in humble obedience. Awaken our souls and revive this land that godly leaders might rise among us. Redeem those who cry out to You in faith. Be that shield and strength for us all. Amen.