September 19, 2023 — Psalm 140

“Deliver me, O LORD, from evildoers; protect me from those who are violent, who plan evil things in their minds and stir up wars continually. They make their tongue sharp as a snake’s, and under their lips is the venom of vipers. Guard me, O LORD, from the hands of the wicked; protect me from the violent who have planned my downfall. The arrogant have hidden a trap for me, and with cords they have spread a net, along the road they have set snares for me. I say to the LORD, “You are my God; give ear, O LORD, to the voice of my supplications.” O LORD, my Lord, my strong deliverer, you have covered my head in the day of battle. Do not grant, O LORD, the desires of the wicked; do not further their evil plot. Those who surround me lift up their heads; let the mischief of their lips overwhelm them! Let burning coals fall on them! Let them be flung into pits, no more to rise! Do not let the slanderer be established in the land; let evil speedily hunt down the violent! I know that the LORD maintains the cause of the needy, and executes justice for the poor. Surely the righteous shall give thanks to your name; the upright shall live in your presence.”

There are many terms for evil, but here the psalmist chooses a specific Hebrew word, chamas. This is important for this word refers to a specific type of evil. When in the generation of Noah, the people began to cheat, steal, deceive and act with total corruption, the Bible laments that G-d saw chamas in the land (Genesis 6:11). Later, in the days of Jonah, the people of Nineveh are also described as engaging in chamas (Jonah 3:8). The specific crimes described as “chamas” are particularly insidious, as they undermine the very framework of society.

Here the Psalmist speaks about the evil that people can enact upon one another — the people who live by “chamas” and wish to constantly stir up violence. We do not need to look too far in our world, in our society to see evil – to know how present evil is in all aspects of our lives. As such we too pray that G-d will uphold the godly and lift up the lowly. Ultimately, we all pray to acknowledge G-d’s great name and merit his presence through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Let us Pray:

O God, our deliverance, you keep guard over your faithful people. Protect us from those who would seek to do us harm, and bring justice to the poor, that we may praise and bless your name, and live in righteousness before you through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.

Amen.

Pastor Dave