Reading the Scriptures within a context is everything. I remember back a number of years ago I was going through an hour of severe trial, and I read a proverb that I had never “seen” before. Oh, the truth of it!
And now today I’m reading Ps 140 with images fresh in my mind of some world events that will change everything. Events voted on and implemented and few seem to know or care. The compliant will remain blind.
So today this psalm is fresh. It is a prayer asking God for protection and rescue from evil men. These violent and evil men
- Stir up wars all day long (v. 2)
- Make their tongues as sharp as a snake’s bite (v. 3)
- They plan to make David stumble (v. 4)
- They hide a trap with ropes for him (v. 5)
- They spread a net along the path and set snares for him (v. 5)
David says this:
”LORD, do not grant the desires of the wicked; do not let them achieve their goals. Otherwise, they will become proud” (Ps 140:8).
Yesterday we watch a foreign power do just that—achieve their goal. And undoubtedly they are proud.
David prays that evil would be thrown down, never to rise again. And that evil would turn on each other and destroy each other.
But David’s confidence is in the LORD.
”I know that the LORD upholds the just cause of the poor, justice for the needy. Surely the righteous will praise Your name; the upright will live in Your presence” (Ps 140:12-13).
The LORD cares for the poor and needy. And those who help the poor and needy.
Those who follow the LORD will praise His name. They will live in His presence.