Text of prayer Psalm 140
Today the prayer exists in two variations. In Church Slavonic it is read in churches during services. At home, in order to understand the meaning of the work, you are allowed to use a version of the text adapted to the Russian language.
In Church Slavonic with accents
In Russian
History of writing
Like most of the songs in the Psalter, this work belongs to King David. Researchers believe that it was written during the reign of King Saul, when this angry tyrant sought to kill the former shepherd David, who was anointed king by the Lord himself.
For many years the future prophet wandered through the desert, pondering his fate. He had many opportunities to put an end to the envious ruler, but he did not do it. In trust in the mercy of the Lord and his support, David lived and wrote this song.
Psalm 140 chapter 1 verse
One might say, everyone knows the words of this psalm and constantly sings it at any age, but they do not understand their meaning. This deserves no small condemnation - to sing every day and pronounce words with your lips, and not try to delve into the power of the thoughts contained in the words. He who sees clean and transparent water cannot resist approaching, taking it and drinking it, and he who often goes to the meadow cannot leave there without collecting several flowers; and you, from an early age to a very old age, continuing to repeat this psalm, you know only its words, you sit at a closed treasure, carry a closed wallet with you, and even out of curiosity, none of you tried to find out what these words mean, no one investigated, didn't get into it. Meanwhile, it cannot be said that this psalm is clear and puts everyone to sleep, so that there is nothing left to explore in it, since everything is in plain sight. No, it is unclear, and is able to wake up someone who is falling asleep, and even someone who is already fast asleep. What does it mean, for example: “ Do not turn my heart aside to evil words?”
"?
What does it mean: “ The righteous will guide me mercifully and reprove me
?”
And the next thing, tell me, is it not darker than any darkness? “ But my prayer (let it not be) is in their favor.
Their judges were devoured near the stone; my words were heard, for they are powerful ” (vv. 4–6).
But despite the fact that there is so much that is unclear in this psalm, many skim through it without paying attention, as if they were some kind of song. However, so as not to make our words heavy by spreading too much reproach, let us begin to explain what was said. Listen with attention, because, I think, the fathers established to read this psalm every evening not in vain and not for the one expression found in it: “ the lifting of my hands - let it be (as) the evening sacrifice
.”
The same expression is found in other psalms, such as: “ evening and morning and at noon I will tell and proclaim, and He will hear my voice
” (18 Evening and morning and at noon I will plead and cry, and He will hear my voice, Ps. 54:18);
and again: “ Your day and Yours night
” (16 Your day and Your night: You have prepared the lights and the sun; Ps. 73:16);
and again: “ Weeping may endure in the evening, but joy in the morning
” (6 for His wrath endures for a moment,
lasts
a lifetime: mourning may endure in the evening, but joy in the morning. Ps. 29:6);
and many psalms can be found suitable for the evening time. Consequently, this is not why the fathers chose this psalm, but commanded to read it as some kind of saving medicine and a means for cleansing sins, so that whatever we become defiled with during the day, being in the square, or at home, or in some other place , we have purified at the coming of evening through this spiritual song. She is a medicine that destroys all such things. Such is the morning psalm - nothing prevents us from briefly mentioning it - it ignites love for God, arouses the soul and, having strongly inflamed it and filled it with great goodness and love, in such a disposition allows us to get down to business. Let's see how it begins and what it teaches us. “ Oh my God!
I turn to You in the morning, my soul has thirsted for You ” (2 God! You are my God, I have been seeking You since the early dawn; My soul thirsts for You, my flesh yearns for You in an empty, parched and waterless land, Ps. 62:2) .
Do you see how he speaks the words of an inflamed soul? And where there is love for God, all evil flees from there; where there is memory of God, there is forgetting of sins and the cessation of evil. “ So I would appear to You in the sanctuary, to see Your power and Your glory!”
(3 to see Your power and Your glory, as I saw You in the sanctuary: Ps. 63:3).
What does “ so” mean?
With such devotion, he says, with such love, to see Your glory, which can be seen everywhere on earth.
But so that we, leaving what is at hand, do not occupy ourselves with outsiders, we refer the listener to what is said about this psalm, and we ourselves turn to what is proposed now. What does the prophet say? “ Lord, I have cried to You, hear me
.”
What, tell me, are you saying? Is it because you called out, demand to be heard, and present this reason as sufficient for you to be heard? Therefore, people with loud and strong voices are now needed? But this would be unfounded. What sin has the one who has a weak and quiet voice and a slow tongue sinned? Wasn't Moses like that, and yet he was heard most quickly? Didn't the Jews cry out the most, and yet God did not answer their prayers? The strong and weak voice are the perfection and the flaw of nature; but this does not serve as a basis for either being heard or not being heard, because it deserves neither praise nor blame. There are many natural perfections in vicious people. Was not Absalom handsome and beautiful, and did not the beauty of his body extend even to the curls of his hair? And what? Wasn't Elisha bald, so that the children laughed at him? But beauty brought no benefit to the former, nor did ugliness harm the latter. What am I talking about a weak voice, or a slow tongue, when both the silent Moses and the silent Hannah were heard? And turning to the Jews, God said: “ When you multiply your prayers, I do not hear
” (15 And when you stretch out your hands, I close My eyes from you; and when you multiply your prayers, I do not hear: your hands are full of blood .Isa. 1:15).
What does the Psalmist express with the words: “ Lord, I have cried to You, hear me
”?
He means here an internal appeal, which is uttered by an inflamed heart and a contrite spirit, which, uttering, Moses was heard. Just as a person who calls with his voice strains all his strength, so he who calls with his heart strains all his mind. God requires such an appeal, an appeal that comes from the heart and does not allow the singer to yawn and have fun. However, not only does He require such an appeal, but also prayer to Him. There are many people who stand and do not cry out to God; their lips cry out to God and pronounce the name of God, but their minds do not understand a single word. Such a person does not cry out, although he pronounces the words loudly, and does not pray to God, although he seems to be praying to Him. Not so - Moses; he cried and was heard; That’s why God said to him: “ Why are you crying out to Me?”
(15 And the Lord said to Moses: Why do you cry to Me? Tell the children of Israel that they should go, Exodus 14:15)?
And not only when he cried out, but also when he was silent, he received what he wanted, because he turned out to be worthy of being heard. If you want to see sinners who prayed earnestly, cried out loudly and received what they asked for, then look at the harlot who prayed silently; Look at the publican, who was justified by one prayer. This is how the Psalmist also cries, which is why he says: “ Lord, I have called to You, hear me
”;
That's why he asks to be heard. " When I call on You
."
Look at another virtue of his prayer. Not because he asks to be heard because he prays fervently, but also because he brings a prayer worthy of the ever-watchful eyes of God. What kind of prayer is this? The one when someone prays not against enemies, not for wealth and profit, not for power and glory, and not for any of the perishable blessings, but for incorruptible and eternal blessings. “ Seek ye
,” says the Lord, “
first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you
” (33 Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Matt. 6:33).
" When I call on You
."
Do you see how he wants us to cry out with zeal, with zeal? Indeed, at this particular time, the devil is plotting us intrigues. He knows that prayer is the greatest weapon, and that, even if we were sinners and worthy of condemnation, we can accomplish much if we pray with zeal and in accordance with the laws of God; That’s why he then tries to instill carelessness in us and instill vicious thoughts in order to make prayer fruitless for us. Knowing this, we must protect our zeal from it and never pray against our enemies, but imitate the apostles. They, having endured thousands of disasters, being in chains, exposed to extreme danger, resorted to prayer and said: “ look at their threats
.”
And then what? They did not say: crush or kill them, as many often say with curses; no, what? “ Grant to Your servants to speak Your word with all boldness
.”
How and in what way? Is it not by killing opponents? Is it not their destruction and destruction? No, but how? “ How You stretch out Your hand to heal and to do signs and wonders in the name of Your Holy Son Jesus
” (29 And now, Lord, consider their threats, and grant to Your servants to speak Your word with all boldness, Acts 4:29, 30 ).
Do you see a prayer filled with wisdom, in which even after such disasters no punishment is asked for enemies? But they prayed this way while they were still alive and had breath; and Stefan, already leaving his present life, not only did not ask harm to his enemies, but also tried to save those who threw stones at him and killed him with their prayer from the wrath of God for such their iniquity and cried out: “ Lord!
Do not count this sin against them ” (60 And he knelt down and cried with a loud voice: Lord, do not count this sin against them. And having said this, he slept. Acts 7:60).
What kind of forgiveness can there be, what justification can there be for those who pray against their enemies? How can such a prayer be heard when it is offered contrary to the commandments of God? Let's not say anything like that. Not only should we not pray against our enemies, but we should even destroy our anger against them; That’s why the apostle says: “ I desire that men say prayers in every place, lifting up clean hands without anger and doubt.
” (8 Therefore I desire that men say prayers in every place, lifting up clean hands without anger and doubt; 1 Tim. 2: 8);
that is, if you have an enemy, then destroy your anger, and thus approach the Lord, and not only do not say anything against him with your lips, but also cleanse your soul from this poison. If this is your prayer, and if you diligently call on God, then before you finish your prayer you will be heard. This is what the Psalmist asks when he says: “ Hear the voice of my prayer when I cry to You
.”
And God himself promised this: “ you will call
,” he says, “
and He will say: “Here I am!”
(9 Then you will cry, and the Lord will hear; you will cry, and He will say: “Here am I!” When you remove the yoke from among you, you will stop lifting up your finger and speaking offensively, Isa. 58:9).
Why read Psalm 140?
Psalm 140 is read in cases where dangers approach you and your home. Family troubles can become such a danger when there is no agreement between one’s neighbors. If you have been severely deceived, prayer will help you identify the liar and punish him to the fullest extent of God's Law.
This can happen when an unfair boss blames you for the mistakes of others, which can cause your career to suffer.
Chanting can be used to simply praise the Lord. The will of the Almighty is such that even without asking for anything, you will receive a blessing.
Evfimy Zigaben
They were sacrificed under the stone (like a stone) of their judge
The judges, he says, that is, the owners of the lawless, who rule and rule over them, have disappeared like that stone that, being thrown into the sea, is swallowed up by it and becomes invisible, so that not a trace or sign of it remains. This same David said in another place about the wicked: I passed by, and behold, he was not there, and I looked for him, and his place was not found (Psalm 36:36); with which words he expresses that the wicked is uprooted, so that not even his name remains. And the expression: swallowed up is used instead of: will be swallowed up - in the past tense instead of the future: he prophesies this about the destruction of the lawless.
Another translated this: They will be torn out by the power (hand) of the stone. And the expression: εχομενα, according to Chrysostom, means: Near, that is, like a stone thrown into the sea becomes invisible; so all their prosperity, having disappeared, will no longer be noticeable. Theodoret: Not in a long time, he says, those who had supreme power will disappear, like underwater stones hiding in the sea waters, and will drown, otherwise they will be consigned to oblivion.
My words will be heard as if they were powerful (as mighty ones)
Symmachus translated: to hear my words (as) most pleasant: he says, those who are knowledgeable and prudent will accept my words to their hearts as sweet and pleasant, because they are true and useful.
Words of Eusebius: When the predicted punishment of the evil comes true, then my words will receive true authenticity, and the prudent will accept them as true and useful.
Interpretation of Psalm 140
- Verse 1-4. The author's cruelty is not heard in these poems. For David, the death of a person is in itself disgusting. Therefore, he begs the Almighty to save the lives of his enemies and only asks Him for protection. The author believes that justice is achieved not only through bloodshed, for Divine providence is harsh, but sacred.
- Verse 5-10. These verses compare the power of the atheists and God. The powers that be, who have turned away from the Lord, have enormous power only on earth. Other matters are beyond their control. The same cannot be said about the Almighty, who, as the chief judge, disposes of those in whose hands there will be a drop of His power. Under certain conditions, He is able to take power from the wicked and punish the madman. It is precisely this outcome of events that David hopes for, praying to the Lord for help. The actions of the author of the chant are not subject to condemnation; there is no sin on them.
140:2 Let my prayer be directed like incense before Thy face, and the lifting of my hands like the evening sacrifice. He understood that God does not perceive every human word, he does not like to hear everything from human lips, so he carefully selected the words and tried to put into them such a meaning that God would be pleased with his speech, just as it is pleasant to inhale the fragrance of incense burned on the golden altar .
140:3,4 Set, O Lord, a guard over my lips, and guard the doors of my mouth; 4 do not let my heart turn aside to evil words to excuse sinful deeds David realizes that apologizing after sinful deeds are done is wickedness: there is no need to do something for which you then have to apologize, because a person taught by the Lord always knows WHAT he does what is wrong and not according to the truth of God, and what is right. Therefore, he asks God to help him at least not to deceive with his lips, if his heart sometimes deviates towards thoughts, and his hands towards sinful deeds
together with people who practice iniquity, and may I not partake of their delights. This is what all the wicked do, that is, all of us (for there is not a single righteous person on earth): first we do evil, and then we hope for forgiveness through an apology. David does not want to be an accomplice in this, but he also understands that it is difficult for him to resist the many temptations emanating from those who practice iniquity.
140:5 Let the righteous punish me: this is mercy; let him reprove me: this is the best oil, which will not hurt my head; David desires reproof, admonition, and even punishment from the righteous: he does not view this as an atrocity, and although it is unpleasant to endure punishment, it is always beneficial to those who strive to achieve righteousness. The righteous, at least, can help David correct his ways and become better in the eyes of God, for they too know exactly how to do this.
but my prayers are against their atrocities. Whose atrocities? The righteous? No, David here continued the idea that he is categorically against punishment at the hands of the wicked; he views all their types of punishment as the atrocities of the wicked, which do not bring any benefit to those against whom they are directed.
140:6 Their leaders are scattered along the cliffs and hear my words that they are meek. The organizers of the attacks on David know that he is not plotting anything bad against them, but, nevertheless, they do not stop in the hunt to bring him to his fall before God.
140:7 It’s as if the earth is being cut and crushed; our bones are falling into the jaws of hell. It seems to David that the suffering from these persecutions is unbearable, he is not far from death, and in these moments David, more than ever, hopes for the Lord’s help in resisting him and not sinning. Because in moments of despair, you very often want to do things your own way and you can do something that will later turn out to be an irreparable disaster.
140:8,9 But to You, Lord, Lord, my eyes are; I trust in You, do not throw away my soul! 9 Save me from the snares set for me, from the snares of the wicked.
If God does not help to protect himself from the snares of the wicked, then no one will help David to resist them, so great is the pressure of the wicked. You can't underestimate her.
140:10 The wicked will fall in their snares, but I will cross over. However, David is confident that God will not allow his death, he will outlive all the wicked and will remain with the Lord, for he himself very much not only wants to achieve this, but also makes efforts to achieve what he wants.
