Psalms 140: Keep Me, Lord

Psalm 140 is titled For the Chief Musician. A Psalm by David. David asks Yahweh to deliver him from evil and violent people who plan harm and set traps for him. He says to Yahweh, You are my God, and calls him the strength of his salvation. David knows Yahweh will maintain the cause of the afflicted and justice for the needy.

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Bible:

Read Psalms 140

World English Bible · 13 verses

¹ For the Chief Musician. A Psalm by David. Deliver me, Yahweh, from evil men. Preserve me from violent men:This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
² those who devise mischief in their hearts. They continually gather themselves together for war.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
³ They have sharpened their tongues like a serpent. Viper’s poison is under their lips. Selah.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁴ Yahweh, keep me from the hands of the wicked. Preserve me from the violent men who have determined to trip my feet.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁵ The proud have hidden a snare for me, they have spread the cords of a net by the path. They have set traps for me. Selah.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁶ I said to Yahweh, “You are my God.” Listen to the cry of my petitions, Yahweh.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁷ Yahweh, the Lord, the strength of my salvation, you have covered my head in the day of battle.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁸ Yahweh, don’t grant the desires of the wicked. Don’t let their evil plans succeed, or they will become proud. Selah.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁹ As for the head of those who surround me, let the mischief of their own lips cover them.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹⁰ Let burning coals fall on them. Let them be thrown into the fire, into miry pits, from where they never rise.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹¹ An evil speaker won’t be established on the earth. Evil will hunt the violent man to overthrow him.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹² I know that Yahweh will maintain the cause of the afflicted, and justice for the needy.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹³ Surely the righteous will give thanks to your name. The upright will dwell in your presence.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.

Scripture: World English Bible, public domain, eBible.org

Worksheets

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Open Preschool on its own page

Psalms 140 · Preschool

You Are My God

Name Date

Color David praying and the shield. God keeps us safe.

Can you find these in the picture? Circle each one!

Bible Verse

“I said to Yahweh, “You are my God.” Listen to the cry of my petitions, Yahweh.”

Psalms 140:6 (WEB)

Prayer

Thank You, God, for making me!

Take It Home

Read the verse aloud. Say: David told God, You are my God. We can say that too! Let's fold our hands and pray it together.

Open Grade 4 on its own page

Psalms 140 · Grade 4

Prayer Against Hidden Traps

Name Date

Read and Think

Psalm 140 is titled For the Chief Musician. A Psalm by David. David faced people who devise mischief in their hearts. They have sharpened their tongues like a serpent. Their words were poisonous, and they planned to trip his feet.

The proud have hidden a snare for me, David says. They have set traps for me. In danger, he speaks simply: I said to Yahweh, You are my God. He calls God the strength of my salvation who covered his head in the day of battle.

David asks God not to let wicked plans succeed. He asks that their own evil words come back on them. Then he ends with confidence: I know that Yahweh will maintain the cause of the afflicted, and justice for the needy. Surely the righteous will give thanks to your name.

Show What You Know

How does David describe his enemies' tongues?
What were his enemies planning?
What picture shows God's protection in battle?
What is David sure God will do?

Word Bank Fill-In

Use the word bank to fill in each blank.

thanksstrengthGod

In danger, he speaks simply: I said to Yahweh, You are my .
He calls God the of my salvation who covered his head in the day of battle.
Surely the righteous will give to your name.

Think About It

David's enemies used words like poison. How can you use your words to help instead of hurt?
David said simply, You are my God. How can that short prayer help you when you are in trouble?

Memory Verse

“I know that Yahweh will maintain the cause of the afflicted, and justice for the needy.”

Psalms 140:12 (WEB)

Copy It

Prayer

Dear God, thank You for being my strength. Help me . Amen.

Take It Home

For families: talk about these together.

David asked God not to let wicked plans succeed. How does trusting God's justice free you from bitterness?
Where does Paul quote Psalm 140?

Open Grade 5 on its own page

Psalms 140 · Grade 5

Justice for the Afflicted

Name Date

Read and Think

Psalm 140 is titled For the Chief Musician. A Psalm by David. David describes enemies whose weapons are words and schemes. They devise mischief in their hearts. They have sharpened their tongues like a serpent. Viper's poison is under their lips. In the New Testament, Paul quotes this line in Romans 3:13 to show how sin reaches human speech.

Against hidden traps, David holds onto a personal relationship. I said to Yahweh, You are my God. Yahweh, the Lord, the strength of my salvation, you have covered my head in the day of battle. He asks God not to grant the desires of the wicked or let their evil plans succeed.

David's prayers in verses 9 to 11 ask that the trouble his enemies planned would fall on themselves. They are the honest words of a man in danger asking God for justice. Christians read them as trusting God, not themselves, to judge. David's last words are calm: I know that Yahweh will maintain the cause of the afflicted, and justice for the needy. The upright will dwell in your presence.

Show What You Know

How does Paul use this psalm?
What relationship does David hold onto?
What do verses 9 to 11 ask?
How do Christians read those verses?

Crossword

Across

The ____ of my salvation.

Down

____ to the cry of my petitions.
____ me from violent men.
Surely the righteous will give ____ to your name.
You are my ____.

Think About It

David's last word is about justice for the needy. How can you stand with people who are afflicted?
The upright will dwell in God's presence. What helps you live uprightly when others are scheming?

Memory Verse

“I know that Yahweh will maintain the cause of the afflicted, and justice for the needy.”

Psalms 140:12 (WEB)

Copy It

Prayer

Dear God, thank You for being my strength. Help me . Amen.

Take It Home

For families: talk about these together.

Which unfair thing do you need to leave in God's hands?
How can you stand up for people who are mistreated?
What is one way you could live out this chapter this week?

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‹ All Psalms chapters · All books

Psalms 140: Keep Me, Lord

Read Psalms 140

Worksheets

You Are My God

Prayer

Take It Home

God Protects

Trace the Words

Match the Pictures

Mini Maze

Draw It

Prayer

Take It Home

Keep Me Safe

Trace the Words

Match the Pictures

God Is My Strength

Prayer

Take It Home

God Keeps Me

Read the Story

Show What You Know

Word Search

Prayer

Take It Home

The Strength of My Salvation

Read the Story

Answer the Questions

God Is My Strength

Word Search

Prayer

Take It Home

Prayer Against Hidden Traps

Read and Think

Show What You Know

Word Bank Fill-In

Think About It

Copy It

Prayer

Take It Home

Justice for the Afflicted

Read and Think

Show What You Know

Crossword

Think About It

Copy It

Prayer

Take It Home

More print options