God acts faithfully and powerfully on behalf of those who call on Him for protection.
Keep me, O LORD, from the hands of the wicked; Preserve me from violent men Who have purposed to trip up my feet. (v.4) This plea in Psalm 140:4 arises from David, who served as the second king of Israel from around 1010 to 970 BC, beseeching God for deliverance and protection. The verse reveals David’s acute awareness that forces of evil plot against him, and though no specific geographical setting is identified here, David’s kingdom was centered in ancient Jerusalem, the heart of Israel’s political and cultural life. By invoking the name of the LORD, David places his trust in the sovereign power and steadfast love of God, emphasizing that his only true rescue is found in the Creator’s intervention.
Keep me, O LORD, from the hands of the wicked… (v.4) conveys David’s recognition that human schemes can be formidable, and yet he firmly believes that the LORD is stronger than any foe. The use of “wicked” and “violent men” speaks to the perils in David’s day and remains relevant for believers who face opposition in various forms. This verse resonates with the broader biblical theme of God sheltering His people from harm, which can be echoed in New Testament passages such as 2 Thessalonians 3:3, where the Apostle Paul testifies that the Lord is faithful to strengthen and protect the believer from evil.
…Who have purposed to trip up my feet. (v.4) underscores that these violent individuals have a deliberate strategy to bring David to ruin. However, David counters such malice by turning to God in earnest prayer, acknowledging that divine help is essential to defeat the traps of the enemy. Beyond physical threats, New Testament believers see this also as a spiritual battle against unseen forces (Ephesians 6:12), finding courage in Jesus’ ultimate victory over evil (John 16:33). David’s prayer serves both as a model of dependence upon God and an assurance that the LORD remains a refuge for the vulnerable.
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Psalms 140:4 meaning
Keep me, O LORD, from the hands of the wicked; Preserve me from violent men Who have purposed to trip up my feet. (v.4) This plea in Psalm 140:4 arises from David, who served as the second king of Israel from around 1010 to 970 BC, beseeching God for deliverance and protection. The verse reveals David’s acute awareness that forces of evil plot against him, and though no specific geographical setting is identified here, David’s kingdom was centered in ancient Jerusalem, the heart of Israel’s political and cultural life. By invoking the name of the LORD, David places his trust in the sovereign power and steadfast love of God, emphasizing that his only true rescue is found in the Creator’s intervention.
Keep me, O LORD, from the hands of the wicked… (v.4) conveys David’s recognition that human schemes can be formidable, and yet he firmly believes that the LORD is stronger than any foe. The use of “wicked” and “violent men” speaks to the perils in David’s day and remains relevant for believers who face opposition in various forms. This verse resonates with the broader biblical theme of God sheltering His people from harm, which can be echoed in New Testament passages such as 2 Thessalonians 3:3, where the Apostle Paul testifies that the Lord is faithful to strengthen and protect the believer from evil.
…Who have purposed to trip up my feet. (v.4) underscores that these violent individuals have a deliberate strategy to bring David to ruin. However, David counters such malice by turning to God in earnest prayer, acknowledging that divine help is essential to defeat the traps of the enemy. Beyond physical threats, New Testament believers see this also as a spiritual battle against unseen forces (Ephesians 6:12), finding courage in Jesus’ ultimate victory over evil (John 16:33). David’s prayer serves both as a model of dependence upon God and an assurance that the LORD remains a refuge for the vulnerable.