God is the champion of the powerless and remains faithful to those in need.
“I know that the LORD will maintain the cause of the afflicted And justice for the poor.” (v.12)
David, the likely author of Psalm 140, reigned as the second king of Israel from about 1010 to 970 BC. In Psalm 140:12, he proclaims confidence that “the LORD” (Yahweh) stands as the righteous defender of the vulnerable. When David says, “I know that the LORD will maintain the cause of the afflicted,” he expresses faith that God hears those who face oppression. This echoes a prominent theme in Scripture wherein the Creator values the distressed and repeatedly promises to be their advocate (Luke 4:18). David himself experienced injustice and recognized that human leaders can fail to produce true justice, but he declares that the Lord’s compassion does not fail and that God upholds what is right.
The phrase “And justice for the poor” reassures believers that God’s concern extends beyond earthly power structures. In Old Testament times, the poor often had little legal recourse. Here, David reminds his audience that no one is beyond God’s notice and deliverance. The Creator’s nature—holy and perfectly righteous—inclines His heart to defend the needy, even when others refuse to do so. This promise of protection appears consistently throughout Scripture: God loves the brokenhearted (Psalm 34:18) and calls His followers to show compassion to those who are overlooked.
Moreover, this verse connects directly to the life and ministry of Jesus, who identified with the poor and downtrodden and proclaimed the kingdom of God to those who had nothing and yet found grace in Him (Matthew 5:3). David’s declaration in Psalm 140:12 resonates with Jesus’s teachings that divine justice will ultimately prevail, for the Lord’s character never changes (Hebrews 13:8). Believers can take comfort in knowing that no injustice or distress goes unseen, and that God Himself stands with those who seek His righteous intervention.
Set to dark mode
Psalms 140:12 meaning
“I know that the LORD will maintain the cause of the afflicted And justice for the poor.” (v.12)
David, the likely author of Psalm 140, reigned as the second king of Israel from about 1010 to 970 BC. In Psalm 140:12, he proclaims confidence that “the LORD” (Yahweh) stands as the righteous defender of the vulnerable. When David says, “I know that the LORD will maintain the cause of the afflicted,” he expresses faith that God hears those who face oppression. This echoes a prominent theme in Scripture wherein the Creator values the distressed and repeatedly promises to be their advocate (Luke 4:18). David himself experienced injustice and recognized that human leaders can fail to produce true justice, but he declares that the Lord’s compassion does not fail and that God upholds what is right.
The phrase “And justice for the poor” reassures believers that God’s concern extends beyond earthly power structures. In Old Testament times, the poor often had little legal recourse. Here, David reminds his audience that no one is beyond God’s notice and deliverance. The Creator’s nature—holy and perfectly righteous—inclines His heart to defend the needy, even when others refuse to do so. This promise of protection appears consistently throughout Scripture: God loves the brokenhearted (Psalm 34:18) and calls His followers to show compassion to those who are overlooked.
Moreover, this verse connects directly to the life and ministry of Jesus, who identified with the poor and downtrodden and proclaimed the kingdom of God to those who had nothing and yet found grace in Him (Matthew 5:3). David’s declaration in Psalm 140:12 resonates with Jesus’s teachings that divine justice will ultimately prevail, for the Lord’s character never changes (Hebrews 13:8). Believers can take comfort in knowing that no injustice or distress goes unseen, and that God Himself stands with those who seek His righteous intervention.