Psalms 140:4Yahweh, keep me from the hands of the wicked. Preserve me from the violent men who have determined to trip my feet.
The setting
Ancient Israel, likely Jerusalem. David or another leader cries out as violent men actively hunt him, setting traps and planning physical harm in what is now Jerusalem, Israel.
The emotion here: terrified but clinging to God as last hope
The original word
chamac (חָמָס) — violence that tears apart, not just hitting but devastating brutality
Why it matters
Ancient traps for feet were designed to cripple permanently, making the victim helpless
Read with care
What most readers miss in Psalms 140:4
The phrase 'trip my feet' refers to deliberate traps, not accidents - someone is hunting the psalmist
Common misconceptionPeople think this guarantees physical safety, but many faithful believers have been martyred. It's about ultimate preservation, not always immediate rescue.
The thread continues
Verses that echo Psalms 140:4
Bible Genome reading
Psalms 140:4 — Bible Genome reading
Emotional genome
Psalms 140:4 comes from the book of Psalms, written during the United Kingdom period. These words are attributed to David. The dominant emotion in this verse is anxious, with a comfort power of 50% and a tone that is urgent. It belongs to the psalm genre of biblical literature. Key themes include divine protection, physical safety. Notable phrases: keep me from the hands of the wicked. This verse is a prayer.
Emotionally similar
Verses that meet the same anxious
“And no wonder, for even Satan masquerades as an angel of light.”
— 2 Corinthians 11:14
“Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.”
— 2 Timothy 3:12
“The evil spirit answered, "Jesus I know, and Paul I know, but who are you?"”
— Acts 19:15
“I fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to me, 'Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?'”
— Acts 22:7
“When we had all fallen to the earth, I heard a voice saying to me in the Hebrew language, 'Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me? It is har…”
— Acts 26:14
Your reflection
What does Psalms 140:4 mean to you, today?
A short note. A question. A prayer. Saved privately to your Soul Garden, dated, and tied to this verse forever.
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