Psalm 140: A Prayer for Deliverance
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David was no stranger to betrayal. He had seen the actions of Doeg, which had resulted in the death of Ahimelech and eighty-five members of his family.
Now he had witnessed the duplicity of the Ziphites, who promised protection but secretly betrayed David and his men to Saul. It seemed no one could be trusted.
Wherever David turned, he was met with smiles and promises, but behind his back, these same men plotted his downfall.
David wrote Psalm 140 as a request for deliverance from duplicitous people.
While he could not discern who was upright and honest, God certainly knew whom he should trust. There will always be evil men and women who seek to undermine the righteous.
Using slander, lies, and gossip, they drive wedges between friends and cause conflict within churches. Playing one side against the other during contentious theological issues is enjoyable for them. They revel in their ability to sway opinions and unleash emotions, thus creating controversy between friends. James speaks of the evil that an unholy tongue can accomplish. “The tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison” (James 3:8).
Paul also uses descriptive language to describe the unrighteous (Romans 3:13, 14). Paul and David both employ the imagery of a snake when describing an evil tongue.
All three writers label the abuse of speech as a poison.
David wanted to avoid the traps being set by his enemies (Psalm 140:5). He longed for the protection that only God could provide (v. 7).
He wanted God to keep the evil schemes of his enemies from being successful and wanted them to have no reason to exult in his downfall at their hands (v. 8).
Eventually, duplicitous people will have their own words rebound upon their heads; they will be seen for who they really are, and integrity will be served (vv. 9, 10).
David ends his psalm with confidence that God will protect His servants and ultimately bring justice to all, for he is a child of the King. And “the upright shall dwell in thy presence” (v. 13). “A tent or a cottage, / O why should I care? / They’re building a palace for me over there.”
