Sharper Iron — Spring into the Psalms – Psalm 140: The LORD is the Strength of My Salvation

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David cries out to the LORD for deliverance from violent men. Their violence comes primarily through their wicked words toward David and toward the LORD’s Word. Although they have laid their poisonous trap, David’s confidence remains in the LORD as his God. The LORD is the one who shields David’s head, even as the LORD also brings His fire down upon the head of the wicked. The LORD maintains justice and righteousness for His afflicted people. Even if His people suffer and die in this life, the LORD will bring them to the resurrection on the Last Day.

Rev. Mark Squire, pastor at Immanuel Lutheran Church in St. Ansgar, IA, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Psalm 140.

To learn more about Immanuel Lutheran, visit immanuelsta.org.

Join Sharper Iron this spring to study selected Psalms. In the Psalter, God speaks His Word to us and teaches us how to speak back to Him in prayer. Even in the great variety of the Psalms, each one points us to our Savior, Jesus Christ.

Sharper Iron, hosted by Rev. Timothy Appel, looks at the text of Holy Scripture both in its broad context and its narrow detail, all for the sake of proclaiming Christ crucified and risen for sinners. Two pastors engage with God’s Word to sharpen not only their own faith and knowledge, but the faith and knowledge of all who listen. Submit comments or questions to: listener@kfuo.org

Sharper Iron is underwritten by Lutheran Church Extension Fund. Together in faith, LCEF helps to start, sustain and strengthen LCMS ministries through financial and strategic partnerships. Visit lcef.org.

Psalm 140

Deliver Me, O LORD, from Evil Men

To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David.

[1] Deliver me, O LORD, from evil men;

preserve me from violent men,

[2] who plan evil things in their heart

and stir up wars continually.

[3] They make their tongue sharp as a serpent’s,

and under their lips is the venom of asps. Selah

[4] Guard me, O LORD, from the hands of the wicked;

preserve me from violent men,

who have planned to trip up my feet.

[5] The arrogant have hidden a trap for me,

and with cords they have spread a net;

beside the way they have set snares for me. Selah

[6] I say to the LORD, You are my God;

give ear to the voice of my pleas for mercy, O LORD!

[7] O LORD, my Lord, the strength of my salvation,

you have covered my head in the day of battle.

[8] Grant not, O LORD, the desires of the wicked;

do not further their evil plot, or they will be exalted! Selah

[9] As for the head of those who surround me,

let the mischief of their lips overwhelm them!

[10] Let burning coals fall upon them!

Let them be cast into fire,

into miry pits, no more to rise!

[11] Let not the slanderer be established in the land;

let evil hunt down the violent man speedily!

[12] I know that the LORD will maintain the cause of the afflicted,

and will execute justice for the needy.

[13] Surely the righteous shall give thanks to your name;

the upright shall dwell in your presence.