Psalms In My Palms - Book 4 - Lament

The Great Escape

Psalms 140:1-13; 141:1-10

     David as an individual Psalm of LAMENT wrote psalm 140. His concern was the influence of the wicked. It is divided into thoughts of his petition to God: in verses 1-3, he wants deliverance from these wicked people. In verses 4-5, he wants to be separated from them. In verses 6-8, he is trusting in God. In verses 9-11, he wants the Justice of God on them. Lastly, in verses 12-13, he knows God has a better plan for the righteous. This outline will help you follow the study closely.

David begins immediately with his plea for deliverance. Psalm 140:1-3-(CEB)-"Rescue me from evil people, Lord!" (HELP!). "Guard me from violent people who plot evil things in their hearts, who pick fights every single day!" (We know people like this who seek to destroy us by whatever means they can. They plot, spending much time contemplating our destruction. They hate God and anyone who serves Him. Bitter hatred spews from them.) David said, "They sharpen their tongues like a snake's; Spider's poison is on their lips." (These hateful words are a result of their intent to destroy. Just as a poisonous snake is bent on striking out at anyone in their way, so the wicked people are ready to attack without cause. I got bit by a Brown Recluse on the elbow on the rail of my porch while I was watching birds. It threatened to render my arm useless, as it turned black all the way from front to back. The doctor talked of amputation! God undertook for me and my right hand is what I am writing with now. God overpowered the spider's bite. There was no other known remedy at the time. Like the Brown Recluse Spider, the ungodly are subtle in their poisonous venomous words they use about us. Later we find to our surprise they have struck!; Psalms 56:6-"...they lie in wait...; 58:4).

We will continue in CEB for verses 4-5 of Psalm 140. Here again David is concerned with the enemy's influence on him, "Protect me from the power of the wicked, Lord! Guard me from violent people who plot to trip me up!" (Psalm 71:4). David fears he will fall from God's grace by subtle tricks of his enemy. He went on to say, "Arrogant people have laid a trap for me with ropes. They have spread a net alongside the road. They've set snares for me." (Jeremiah 18:22). David said that the things they did were so persuasive that it was almost impossible for him to resist because they were everywhere with different means to entice him.

David used the safety method for resistance. He called on God in seven persuasive words in Psalm 140:6-8-(TEV):

1. "I say to the LORD," (Good start; he is talking to the Right Person!)

2. "YOU ARE MY GOD." (Ah! This is the answer!)

3. Hear my cry for help, LORD!" (And He will)

4. "LORD, MY GOD" (The answer is on the way from the Right Source)

5. "My STRONG SAVIOR," (He is the only one who can save us.)

6. "YOU have protected me in battle." (This reminder means David trusts God's ability.)

7. "LORD, don't give the wicked what they want;" (Deuteronomy 32:27; God's honor is at stake! David must let God control all his enemies! In himself, he is weak! But GOD!)

David has used God's Name 7 times in these statements. LORD is used 4 times; GOD is used 2 times; and, MY SAVIOR is used 1 time. This is a perfect answer to the perfect statements he made about the PERFECT GOD!

In Psalm 140:9-11-(NKJV)-we find a strong statement, "As the head of those who surround me," (Remember David was the anointed King of Israel, so he speaks with the authority of his position, as well as, his trust in God.):