Psalm 140:4
New International Version
Keep me safe, LORD, from the hands of the wicked; protect me from the violent, who devise ways to trip my feet.

New Living Translation
O LORD, keep me out of the hands of the wicked. Protect me from those who are violent, for they are plotting against me.

English Standard Version
Guard me, O LORD, from the hands of the wicked; preserve me from violent men, who have planned to trip up my feet.

Berean Standard Bible
Guard me, O LORD, from the hands of the wicked. Keep me safe from men of violence who scheme to make me stumble.

King James Bible
Keep me, O LORD, from the hands of the wicked; preserve me from the violent man; who have purposed to overthrow my goings.

New King James Version
Keep me, O LORD, from the hands of the wicked; Preserve me from violent men, Who have purposed to make my steps stumble.

New American Standard Bible
Keep me, LORD, from the hands of the wicked; Protect me from violent men Who intend to trip up my feet.

NASB 1995
Keep me, O LORD, from the hands of the wicked; Preserve me from violent men Who have purposed to trip up my feet.

NASB 1977
Keep me, O LORD, from the hands of the wicked; Preserve me from violent men, Who have purposed to trip up my feet.

Legacy Standard Bible
Keep me, O Yahweh, from the hands of the wicked; Guard me from violent men Who give thought to trip up my steps.

Amplified Bible
Keep me, O LORD, from the hands of the wicked; Protect me from violent men Who intend to trip up my steps.

Christian Standard Bible
Protect me, LORD, from the power of the wicked. Keep me safe from violent men who plan to make me stumble.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Protect me, LORD, from the clutches of the wicked. Keep me safe from violent men who plan to make me stumble.

American Standard Version
Keep me, O Jehovah, from the hands of the wicked; Preserve me from the violent man: Who have purposed to thrust aside my steps.

Contemporary English Version
Protect me, LORD, from cruel and brutal enemies, who want to destroy me.

English Revised Version
Keep me, O LORD, from the hands of the wicked; preserve me from the violent man: Who have purposed to thrust aside my steps.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Protect me from the hands of wicked people, O LORD. Keep me safe from violent people. They try to trip me.

Good News Translation
Protect me, LORD, from the power of the wicked; keep me safe from violent people who plot my downfall.

International Standard Version
Protect me, LORD, from the control of evil people, from violent men who have planned to trip me.

Majority Standard Bible
Guard me, O LORD, from the hands of the wicked. Keep me safe from men of violence who scheme to make me stumble.

NET Bible
O LORD, shelter me from the power of the wicked! Protect me from violent men, who plan to knock me over.

New Heart English Bible
LORD, keep me from the hands of the wicked. Preserve me from the violent men who have determined to trip my feet.

Webster's Bible Translation
Keep me, O LORD, from the hands of the wicked; preserve me from the violent man; who have purposed to overthrow my goings.

World English Bible
Yahweh, keep me from the hands of the wicked. Preserve me from the violent men who have determined to trip my feet.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Preserve me, YHWH, from the hands of the wicked, "" Keep me from one of violence, "" Who have devised to overthrow my steps.

Young's Literal Translation
Preserve me, Jehovah, from the hands of the wicked, From one of violence Thou keepest me, Who have devised to overthrow my steps.

Smith's Literal Translation
Watch me, O Jehovah, from the hands of the unjust one; from the man of violences wilt thou guard me; who purposed to overthrow my steps.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Keep me, O Lord, from the hand of the wicked: and from unjust men deliver me. Who have proposed to supplant my steps.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Preserve me, O Lord, from the hand of the sinner, and rescue me from men of iniquity. They have decided to supplant my steps.

New American Bible
Keep me, LORD, from the clutches of the wicked; preserve me from the violent, who plot to trip me up.

New Revised Standard Version
Guard me, O LORD, from the hands of the wicked; protect me from the violent who have planned my downfall.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Keep me, O LORD, from the hands of the wicked; preserve me from violent men, who have purposed to prevent my goings.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Keep me, LORD JEHOVAH, from the hand of the evil, and keep me from men who are extortionists, who have schemed to overthrow my steps.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Keep me, O LORD, from the hands of the wicked; Preserve me from the violent man; Who have purposed to make my steps slip.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Keep me, O Lord, from the hand of the sinner; rescue me from unjust men; who have purposed to overthrow my goings.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Rescue Me, O LORD, From Evil Men
3They sharpen their tongues like snakes; the venom of vipers is on their lips. Selah 4Guard me, O LORD, from the hands of the wicked. Keep me safe from men of violence who scheme to make me stumble. 5The proud hide a snare for me; the cords of their net are spread along the path, and lures are set out for me. Selah…

Cross References
Proverbs 24:15
Do not lie in wait, O wicked man, near the dwelling of the righteous; do not destroy his resting place.

Psalm 141:9-10
Keep me from the snares they have laid for me, and from the lures of evildoers. / Let the wicked fall into their own nets, while I pass by in safety.

Psalm 31:20
You hide them in the secret place of Your presence from the schemes of men. You conceal them in Your shelter from accusing tongues.

Psalm 64:2-3
Hide me from the scheming of the wicked, from the mob of workers of iniquity, / who sharpen their tongues like swords and aim their bitter words like arrows,

Psalm 91:3
Surely He will deliver you from the snare of the fowler, and from the deadly plague.

Psalm 59:1-2
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. / Deliver me from workers of iniquity, and save me from men of bloodshed.

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

Psalm 56:6
They conspire, they lurk, they watch my steps while they wait to take my life.

Psalm 17:8-9
Keep me as the apple of Your eye; hide me in the shadow of Your wings / from the wicked who assail me, from my mortal enemies who surround me.

Psalm 27:12
Do not hand me over to the will of my foes, for false witnesses rise up against me, breathing out violence.

Isaiah 54:17
No weapon formed against you shall prosper, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their vindication is from Me,” declares the LORD.

Jeremiah 15:21
I will deliver you from the hand of the wicked and redeem you from the grasp of the ruthless.”

2 Timothy 4:18
And the Lord will rescue me from every evil action and bring me safely into His heavenly kingdom. To Him be the glory forever and ever. Amen.

Matthew 6:13
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.’

2 Thessalonians 3:2-3
And pray that we may be delivered from wicked and evil men; for not everyone holds to the faith. / But the Lord is faithful, and He will strengthen you and guard you from the evil one.


Treasury of Scripture

Keep me, O LORD, from the hands of the wicked; preserve me from the violent man; who have purposed to overthrow my goings.

keep me

Psalm 17:8,9
Keep me as the apple of the eye, hide me under the shadow of thy wings, …

Psalm 36:11
Let not the foot of pride come against me, and let not the hand of the wicked remove me.

Psalm 37:32,33-40
The wicked watcheth the righteous, and seeketh to slay him…

preserve

Psalm 140:1
To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. Deliver me, O LORD, from the evil man: preserve me from the violent man;

overthrow

Psalm 17:5
Hold up my goings in thy paths, that my footsteps slip not.

Proverbs 18:5
It is not good to accept the person of the wicked, to overthrow the righteous in judgment.

Jump to Previous
Designing Determined Devise Devised Feet Goings Guard Hands Keepest Overthrow Plan Planned Preserve Protect Purposed Safe Sinners Slip Steps Thrust Trip Violence Violent Wicked
Jump to Next
Designing Determined Devise Devised Feet Goings Guard Hands Keepest Overthrow Plan Planned Preserve Protect Purposed Safe Sinners Slip Steps Thrust Trip Violence Violent Wicked
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














Guard me, O LORD
The phrase begins with a plea for divine protection. The Hebrew word for "guard" is "שָׁמַר" (shamar), which conveys the idea of keeping watch, preserving, or protecting. This word is often used in the context of a shepherd watching over his flock, suggesting a personal and vigilant care. The invocation of "O LORD" uses the sacred name of God, Yahweh, emphasizing a covenant relationship. This highlights the psalmist's trust in God's faithfulness and His ability to protect those who are His.

from the hands of the wicked
The "hands" symbolize power and control. The Hebrew word "יָד" (yad) is often used metaphorically to represent influence or actions. The "wicked" refers to those who are morally wrong or guilty, "רָשָׁע" (rasha). In the biblical context, the wicked are those who oppose God's will and oppress His people. This plea acknowledges the reality of evil in the world and the need for God's intervention to prevent harm from those who act unjustly.

keep me safe
The phrase "keep me safe" is a continuation of the request for protection. The Hebrew root "נָצַל" (natsal) means to deliver or rescue. This word is often used in the context of God delivering His people from danger or distress. It reflects a deep reliance on God's ability to save and preserve life amidst threats.

from men of violence
"Men of violence" refers to those who use force and aggression to achieve their ends. The Hebrew word "חָמָס" (chamas) denotes violence, wrong, or cruelty. This term is used throughout the Old Testament to describe acts of injustice and brutality. The psalmist's plea underscores the destructive nature of violence and the need for divine protection against those who perpetrate it.

who scheme to make me stumble
The word "scheme" comes from the Hebrew "חָשַׁב" (chashab), meaning to plan or devise. It implies intentionality and cunning in plotting harm. "To make me stumble" uses the Hebrew "כָּשַׁל" (kashal), which means to cause to fall or fail. This phrase suggests a deliberate attempt to undermine or cause the psalmist to falter in his faith or mission. The imagery of stumbling conveys vulnerability and the potential for spiritual or moral failure. The psalmist's prayer is for God to thwart these plans and uphold him in righteousness.

(4) Overthrow my goings.--Literally, thrust aside my steps. The verse is a repetition, with variation, of Psalm 140:1.

Verse 4. - Keep me, O Lord, from the hands of the wicked; preserve me from the violent man. A repetition of ver. 1 in a modified form. The fact of iteration indicates the extremity of the psalmist's need. Who have purposed to overthrow my goings; i.e. to bring me to destruction (comp. Psalm 17:5).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Guard me,
שָׁמְרֵ֤נִי (šā·mə·rê·nî)
Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular | first person common singular
Strong's 8104: To hedge about, guard, to protect, attend to

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

from the hands
מִ֘ידֵ֤י (mî·ḏê)
Preposition-m | Noun - fdc
Strong's 3027: A hand

of the wicked.
רָשָׁ֗ע (rā·šā‘)
Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 7563: Wrong, an, bad person

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

from men
מֵאִ֣ישׁ (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

who
אֲשֶׁ֥ר (’ă·šer)
Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that

scheme
חָ֝שְׁב֗וּ (ḥā·šə·ḇū)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 2803: To think, account

to make me stumble.
לִדְח֥וֹת (liḏ·ḥō·wṯ)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 1760: To push, thrust


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OT Poetry: Psalm 140:4 Yahweh keep me from the hands (Psalm Ps Psa.)
Psalm 140:3
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