Psalm 140:1 Rescue me, O LORD, from evil men. Protect me from men of violence,

◄ Psalm 140:1 ►

New International Version
For the director of music. A psalm of David. Rescue me, LORD, from evildoers; protect me from the violent,

New Living Translation
O LORD, rescue me from evil people. Protect me from those who are violent,

English Standard Version
Deliver me, O LORD, from evil men; preserve me from violent men,

Berean Standard Bible
For the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. Rescue me, O LORD, from evil men. Protect me from men of violence,

King James Bible
To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. Deliver me, O LORD, from the evil man: preserve me from the violent man;

New King James Version
To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David. Deliver me, O LORD, from evil men; Preserve me from violent men,

New American Standard Bible
For the music director. A Psalm of David. Rescue me, LORD, from evil people; Protect me from violent men

NASB 1995
For the choir director. A Psalm of David. Rescue me, O LORD, from evil men; Preserve me from violent men

NASB 1977
Rescue me, O LORD, from evil men; Preserve me from violent men,

Legacy Standard Bible
For the choir director. A Psalm of David. Rescue me, O Yahweh, from evil men; Guard me from violent men

Amplified Bible
To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David. Rescue me, O LORD, from evil men; Protect me from violent men.

Christian Standard Bible
For the choir director. A psalm of David. Rescue me, LORD, from evil men. Keep me safe from violent men

Holman Christian Standard Bible
For the choir director. A Davidic psalm. Rescue me, LORD, from evil men. Keep me safe from violent men

American Standard Version
For the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David. Deliver me, O Jehovah, from the evil man; Preserve me from the violent man:

Contemporary English Version
Rescue me from cruel and violent enemies, LORD!

English Revised Version
For the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David. Deliver me, O LORD, from the evil man; preserve me from the violent man:

GOD'S WORD® Translation
[For the choir leader; a psalm by David.] Rescue me from evil people, O LORD. Keep me safe from violent people.

Good News Translation
Save me, LORD, from evildoers; keep me safe from violent people.

International Standard Version
Deliver me, LORD, from evil people, preserve me from violent men,

Majority Standard Bible
For the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. Rescue me, O LORD, from evil men. Protect me from men of violence,

NET Bible
For the music director; a psalm of David. O LORD, rescue me from wicked men! Protect me from violent men,

New Heart English Bible
[For the Chief Musician. A Psalm by David.] Deliver me, LORD, from the evil man. Preserve me from the violent man;

Webster's Bible Translation
To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. Deliver me, O LORD, from the evil man: preserve me from the violent man;

World English Bible
For the Chief Musician. A Psalm by David. Deliver me, Yahweh, from evil men. Preserve me from violent men:

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
TO THE OVERSEER. A PSALM OF DAVID. Deliver me, O YHWH, from an evil man, "" Keep me from one of violence.

Young's Literal Translation
To the Overseer. -- A Psalm of David. Deliver me, O Jehovah, from an evil man, From one of violence Thou keepest me.

Smith's Literal Translation
To the overseer, chanting to David: Deliver me, O Jehovah, from the evil man: wilt thou guard me from the man of violences.

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
Unto the end, a psalm for David. Deliver me, O Lord, from the evil man: rescue me from the unjust man.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Unto the end. A Psalm of David. Rescue me, O Lord, from the evil man. Rescue me from the iniquitous leader.

New American Bible
For the leader. A psalm of David. [2] Deliver me, LORD, from the wicked; preserve me from the violent,

New Revised Standard Version
Deliver me, O LORD, from evildoers; protect me from those who are violent,

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
DELIVER me, O LORD, from the evil man; preserve me from violent men,

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Save me, LORD JEHOVAH, from the evil man, and keep me from evil men.

OT Translations

JPS Tanakh 1917
For the Leader. A Psalm of David. Deliver me, O LORD, from the evil man; Preserve me from the violent man;

Brenton Septuagint Translation
For the end, a Psalm of David. Rescue me, O Lord, from the evil man; deliver me from the unjust man.

Additional Translations ...

Audio Bible

Context

Rescue Me, O LORD, From Evil Men
1For the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. Rescue me, O LORD, from evil men. Protect me from men of violence, 2who devise evil in their hearts and stir up war all day long.…

Berean Standard Bible · Download

Cross References

2 Samuel 22:49
who frees me from my enemies. You exalt me above my foes; You rescue me from violent men.

Psalm 18:48
who delivers me from my enemies. You exalt me above my foes; You rescue me from violent men.

Psalm 71:4
Deliver me, O my God, from the hand of the wicked, from the grasp of the unjust and ruthless.

Psalm 59:1
For the choirmaster. To the tune of “Do Not Destroy.” A Miktam of David, when Saul sent men to watch David’s house in order to kill him. Deliver me from my enemies, O my God; protect me from those who rise against me.

Psalm 64:1
For the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. Hear, O God, my voice of complaint; preserve my life from dread of the enemy.

Psalm 31:15
My times are in Your hands; deliver me from my enemies and from those who pursue me.

Psalm 35:1
Of David. Contend with my opponents, O LORD; fight against those who fight against me.

Psalm 56:1
For the choirmaster. To the tune of “A Dove on Distant Oaks.” A Miktam of David, when the Philistines seized him in Gath. Be merciful to me, O God, for men are hounding me; all day they press their attack.

Psalm 109:3
They surround me with hateful words and attack me without cause.

Isaiah 59:7
Their feet run to evil; they are swift to shed innocent blood. Their thoughts are sinful thoughts; ruin and destruction lie in their wake.

Jeremiah 18:18
Then some said, “Come, let us make plans against Jeremiah, for the law will never be lost to the priest, nor counsel to the wise, nor an oracle to the prophet. Come, let us denounce him and pay no heed to any of his words.”

Matthew 5:11
Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me.

Matthew 10:16-18
Behold, I am sending you out like sheep among wolves; therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves. / But beware of men, for they will hand you over to their councils and flog you in their synagogues. / On My account you will be brought before governors and kings as witnesses to them and to the Gentiles.

Luke 6:22
Blessed are you when people hate you, and when they exclude you and insult you and reject your name as evil because of the Son of Man.

John 15:18-20
If the world hates you, understand that it hated Me first. / If you were of the world, it would love you as its own. Instead, the world hates you, because you are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. / Remember the word that I spoke to you: ‘No servant is greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will persecute you as well; if they kept My word, they will keep yours as well.

Treasury of Scripture

Deliver me, O LORD, from the evil man: preserve me from the violent man;

Psalm 43:1
Judge me, O God, and plead my cause against an ungodly nation: O deliver me from the deceitful and unjust man.

Psalm 59:1-3
To the chief Musician, Altaschith, Michtam of David; when Saul sent, and they watched the house to kill him. Deliver me from mine enemies, O my God: defend me from them that rise up against me…

Psalm 71:4
Deliver me, O my God, out of the hand of the wicked, out of the hand of the unrighteous and cruel man.

violent man.

Psalm 140:4,11
Keep me, O LORD, from the hands of the wicked; preserve me from the violent man; who have purposed to overthrow my goings…

Psalm 18:48
He delivereth me from mine enemies: yea, thou liftest me up above those that rise up against me: thou hast delivered me from the violent man.

Habakkuk 1:2,3
O LORD, how long shall I cry, and thou wilt not hear! even cry out unto thee of violence, and thou wilt not save! …

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Psalm 140

1. David prays to be delivered from Saul and Doeg
8. He prays against them
12. He comforts himself by confidence in God

Berean Study Bible

Rescue me
The phrase "Rescue me" in Psalm 140:1 is a heartfelt plea for divine intervention. The Hebrew root for "rescue" is "נצל" (natsal), which conveys the idea of being snatched away or delivered from danger. This word is often used in the Old Testament to describe God's saving actions on behalf of His people. In the historical context of ancient Israel, the psalmist's cry for rescue reflects a deep reliance on God as the ultimate protector and deliverer. This plea is not just for physical safety but also for spiritual salvation, emphasizing the believer's trust in God's power to save from all forms of evil.

O LORD
The use of "O LORD" signifies a direct address to Yahweh, the covenant name of God, which is deeply personal and relational. In Hebrew, "LORD" is "יהוה" (YHWH), the sacred tetragrammaton, which underscores God's eternal and unchanging nature. This invocation of God's name is a reminder of His faithfulness and His promises to His people. It reflects the psalmist's intimate relationship with God, acknowledging Him as the sovereign ruler and the one who is both willing and able to intervene in human affairs.

from evil men
The phrase "from evil men" identifies the source of the psalmist's distress. The Hebrew word for "evil" is "רַע" (ra), which encompasses wickedness, harm, and moral corruption. In the biblical context, "evil men" are those who oppose God's will and act unjustly, often threatening the righteous. This phrase highlights the reality of spiritual warfare and the presence of malevolent forces in the world. The psalmist's request for deliverance from such individuals underscores the need for divine protection against those who seek to harm God's people.

Protect me
"Protect me" is a request for God's safeguarding presence. The Hebrew root "שׁמר" (shamar) means to guard, watch over, or keep. This term is frequently used in the Psalms to describe God's vigilant care for His people. The psalmist's appeal for protection is a recognition of human vulnerability and the need for God's constant oversight. It reflects a deep trust in God's ability to shield His followers from both physical and spiritual dangers, affirming His role as a refuge and fortress.

from violent men
The phrase "from violent men" further specifies the nature of the threat. The Hebrew word for "violent" is "חָמָס" (chamas), which implies cruelty, injustice, and oppression. In the ancient Near Eastern context, violence was a common means of exerting power and control. The psalmist's plea for protection from such individuals highlights the destructive impact of violence and the importance of seeking God's peace and justice. It serves as a reminder of the believer's reliance on God to confront and overcome the forces of violence and oppression in the world.

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(1) Evil man.--The singular of the object in this verse must not lead us to think the psalm is an expression of personal feeling against one enemy, for it is immediately changed to the plural.

Violent man.--See Margin.

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 1. - Deliver me, O Lord, from the evil man. The prayer is not directed against an individual, but against David's enemies generally. They are "evil" or "wicked" men, and especially "men of violence" (see the next clause, and comp. ver. 4). Preserve me from the violent man; literally, from the man of violences (comp. 2 Samuel 22:49; Psalm 18:48).

Parallel Commentaries ...

Hebrew

For the choirmaster.
לַמְנַצֵּ֗חַ (lam·naṣ·ṣê·aḥ)
Preposition-l, Article | Verb - Piel - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 5329: To glitter from afar, to be eminent, to be permanent

A Psalm
מִזְמ֥וֹר (miz·mō·wr)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4210: Instrumental music, a poem set to notes

of David.
לְדָוִֽד׃ (lə·ḏā·wiḏ)
Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 1732: David -- perhaps 'beloved one', a son of Jesse

Rescue me,
חַלְּצֵ֣נִי (ḥal·lə·ṣê·nî)
Verb - Piel - Imperative - masculine singular | first person common singular
Strong's 2502: To pull off, to strip, to depart, to deliver, equip, present, strengthen

O LORD,
יְ֭הוָה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

from evil
רָ֑ע (rā‘)
Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 7451: Bad, evil

men.
מֵאָדָ֣ם (mê·’ā·ḏām)
Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 120: Ruddy, a human being

Protect me
תִּנְצְרֵֽנִי׃ (tin·ṣə·rê·nî)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular | first person common singular
Strong's 5341: To watch, guard, keep

from men
מֵאִ֖ישׁ (mê·’îš)
Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 376: A man as an individual, a male person

of violence,
חֲמָסִ֣ים (ḥă·mā·sîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 2555: Violence, wrong, by meton, unjust gain

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OT Poetry: Psalm 140:1 For the Chief Musician (Psalm Ps Psa.)