Psalm 140 is a prayer for protection from violent and deceitful people: “Deliver me, O Lord, from the evil man: rescue me from the unjust man.” They “have sharpened their tongues like a serpent: the venom of asps is under their lips,” words St. Paul quotes in Romans 3:13. In the Douay-Rheims it is numbered Psalm 139. Below is the full Catholic text, what the psalm means, how the Church uses it, and a prayer.
Psalm 140 in the Douay-Rheims Bible
Unto the end, a psalm for David.
Deliver me, O Lord, from the evil man: rescue me from the unjust man.
Who have devised iniquities in their hearts: all the day long they designed battles.
They have sharpened their tongues like a serpent: the venom of asps is under their lips.
Keep me, O Lord, from the hand of the wicked: and from unjust men deliver me. Who have proposed to supplant my steps.
The proud have hidden a net for me. And they have stretched out cords for a snare: they have laid for me a stumblingblock by the wayside.
I said to the Lord: Thou art my God: hear, O Lord, the voice of my supplication.
O Lord, Lord, the strength of my salvation: thou hast overshadowed my head in the day of battle.
Give me not up, O Lord, from my desire to the wicked: they have plotted against me; do not thou forsake me, lest they should triumph.
The head of them compassing me about: the labour of their lips shall overwhelm them.
Burning coals shall fall upon them; thou wilt cast them down into the fire: in miseries they shall not be able to stand.
A man full of tongue shall not be established in the earth: evil shall catch the unjust man unto destruction.
I know that the Lord will do justice to the needy, and will revenge the poor.
But as for the just, they shall give glory to thy name: and the upright shall dwell with thy countenance.
Psalm 140 or Psalm 139?
The Douay-Rheims Bible follows the numbering of the Latin Vulgate and the Greek Septuagint, while most modern Bibles follow the Hebrew. So the Douay’s Psalm 139 is Psalm 140 in the New American Bible and other modern translations. In Latin the psalm begins Eripe me, Domine, ab homine malo. See how many psalms are there?
What the psalm means
- Evil schemes: the wicked plan violence “in their heart.”
- Poisoned words: “the venom of asps is under their lips.”
- Snares and traps: the proud hide nets to trip the just.
- God my strength and shield: “O Lord, Lord, the strength of my salvation: thou hast overshadowed my head in the day of battle.”
- Justice for the poor: “I know that the Lord will do justice to the needy, and will revenge the poor.”
How the Church uses Psalm 140
- In the Liturgy of the Hours.
- For protection from violence and slander. See psalms for protection.
A prayer with Psalm 140
Written for this page:
Rescue me, Lord, from evil men; protect me from the violent.
Guard me from poisoned words and hidden snares.
Lord, my strong deliverer, cover my head in the day of battle.
Do justice for the poor and the needy, and let the upright dwell in your presence. Amen.
Frequently asked questions
What is Psalm 140 about?
A prayer for protection from violent and lying enemies, trusting God to defend the poor and needy.
Does the New Testament quote Psalm 140?
Yes. St. Paul quotes “the venom of asps is under their lips” in Romans 3:13.
More psalms and prayers
Texts and sources
- Scripture: Psalm 139 (140); Romans 3:13, Douay-Rheims Bible (Challoner), public domain.
- The prayer was written for this page.