Psalm 140--Deliver Me, O LORD, from Evil Men

Psalm 140
English Standard Version

Deliver Me, O LORD, from Evil Men
To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David.
140 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.

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David had to contend with many enemies that were military threats, but at least he usually got to fight such men in battle.  It was quite another thing when his fellow Israelites used their words to do harm, making them appear to be more like children of the devil than children of God.  David asks the LORD to protect him from these wicked and violent men, for they do violence even with their words.  Every time he is around them, he feels like traps are being set for him--The LORD is able to work so that such people get caught in their own traps and He is able to rescue and save His people from the traps that their enemies have laid.

There are those who are so evil--the ringleaders of these evil men--who David wishes to see judged in the here and now in a way that will make men turn to God in repentance and question if it's really wise to make their allegiance with such sinful men and be an enemy of God and His people.  David puts the slanderers and gossips into this category as well as those who would seek to do physical harm.  Many times, wounds from words hurt more deeply and take much longer to heal.

Ultimately, David must entrust the LORD to take care of His justice in His way and in His time.  Eventually, the righteous will be vindicated, and the wicked will get what's coming to them, but it may not come until the Judgment Seat of Christ and The Great White Throne Judgment.  Eventually, we must all come to this place, even though we may pray, "Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven," we must sometimes patiently wait for His justice and judgment to come as God is longsuffering and wants to give men every opportunity to repent.  However, should the LORD choose to exercise judgment both now and in life everlasting to come, He is completely just in doing so.