Psalms 140:4-5 (ESV)
Guard me, O LORD, from the hands of the wicked;
preserve me from violent men,
who have planned to trip up my feet.
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
Psalm 140-142 are songs about asking God for help and refuge in regard to the world around us that has sent their minds and hearts on destroying us. That might seem like and over the top thought, but it is exactly what this world’s mindset is in regard to those who hold to God and His righteousness. That evil in man’s heart was the main root and motivation for the mobs to crucify Christ. That same evil in man’s hearts caused Joseph’s brothers to toss him into a pit to die, only to change their mind and sell him for money. That is the same evil that caused wicked Saul to pursue righteous David. It was the same evil that caused the mobs to stone Stephen. It is the same evil in man’s hearts that is causing the slaughter of Christians around the world today. So, as we read the above verses we may not be realizing the situation in our own lives, today, it is certainly a valid truth when we consider the war between evil and righteousness. The writer of these songs is David. He certainly knew about the evil in the hearts of man and how man is setting a trap for the righteous. He has many experiences of that happening to him. But, if we recall, he also did the same thing to righteous Uriah in his plot to kill the soldier and steal his wife, Bathsheba. It is David that set the trap for Uriah to fall to his death. Wickedness is in the heart of all men. David repented of that sin and God forgave him. But, the truth of his life is demonstrate on both sides of that above verse. The wickedness in man’s heart causes him to plot evil against his neighbor. That is why we read in an earlier psalm (also a song of David) the following:
Psalms 15 (ESV)
A PSALM OF DAVID.
O LORD, who shall sojourn in your tent?
Who shall dwell on your holy hill?
He who walks blamelessly and does what is right
and speaks truth in his heart;
who does not slander with his tongue
and does no evil to his neighbor,
nor takes up a reproach against his friend;
in whose eyes a vile person is despised,
but who honors those who fear the LORD;
who swears to his own hurt and does not change;
who does not put out his money at interest
and does not take a bribe against the innocent.
He who does these things shall never be moved.
We are not to plot evil in our hearts for our neighbor. We are not to slander with our tongues. We are not to set up a trap for the righteous.
But, David knows that if the world does these things, he will still be safe:
Psalms 140:12-13 (ESV)
I know that the LORD will maintain the cause of the afflicted,
and will execute justice for the needy.
Surely the righteous shall give thanks to your name;
the upright shall dwell in your presence.
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