A Prayer for Protection against Persecutors

1401 O Lord, take me out of the power of the evil man; keep me safe from the violent man: 2 For their hearts are full of evil designs; and they are ever making ready causes of war. 3 Their tongues are sharp like the tongue of a snake; the poison of snakes is under their lips. (Selah.) 4 O Lord, take me out of the hands of sinners; keep me safe from the violent man: for they are designing my downfall. 5 The men of pride have put secret cords for my feet; stretching nets in my way, so that they may take me with their tricks. (Selah.) 6 I have said to the Lord, You are my God: give ear, O Lord, to the voice of my prayer. 7 O Lord God, the strength of my salvation, you have been a cover over my head in the day of the fight.

8 O Lord, give not the wrongdoer his desire; give him no help in his evil designs, or he may be uplifted in pride. (Selah.) 9 As for those who come round me, let their heads be covered by the evil of their lips. 10 Let burning flames come down on them: let them be put into the fire, and into deep waters, so that they may not get up again. 11 Let not a man of evil tongue be safe on earth: let destruction overtake the violent man with blow on blow. 12 I am certain that the Lord will take care of the cause of the poor, and of the rights of those who are troubled. 13 Truly, the upright will give praise to your name: the holy will have a place in your house.

Matthew Henry's Commentary on Psalm 140:1-20

Commentary on Psalm 140:1-7

(Read Psalm 140:1-7)

The more danger appears, the more earnest we should be in prayer to God. All are safe whom the Lord protects. If he be for us, who can be against us? We should especially watch and pray, that the Lord would hold up our goings in his ways, that our footsteps slip not. God is as able to keep his people from secret fraud as from open force; and the experience we have had of his power and care, in dangers of one kind, may encourage us to depend upon him in other dangers.

Commentary on Psalm 140:8-13

(Read Psalm 140:8-13)

Believers may pray that God would not grant the desires of the wicked, nor further their evil devices. False accusers will bring mischief upon themselves, even the burning coals of Divine vengeance. And surely the righteous shall dwell in God's presence, and give him thanks for evermore. This is true thanksgiving, even thanks-living: this use we should make of all our deliverances, we should serve God the more closely and cheerfully. Those who, though evil spoken of and ill-used by men, are righteous in the sight of God, being justified by the righteousness of Christ, which is imputed to them, and received by faith, as the effect of which, they live soberly and righteously; these give thanks to the Lord, for the righteousness whereby they are made righteous, and for every blessing of grace, and mercy of life.