How Should I Respond When People Hurt Me? (Psalm 140) | Daily Devotional & Bible Study

Today we study Psalm 140, where David is facing people who want to harm him, a situation a lot of us can relate to. Some of his response shows his humanity, and it is not always something we should copy. So we compare David's prayer with the way Jesus responded to His enemies, and we look to Jesus as our model.

"I know that the LORD will maintain the cause of the afflicted And justice for the poor." (Psalm 140:12)

Questions this episode answers

What is Psalm 140 about?

Psalm 140 is David's prayer for rescue from violent and evil people who plot against him. He asks God to protect him and to bring justice. He ends with confidence that God will defend the afflicted and that the upright will live in His presence.

Is it wrong to ask God to deal with people who hurt me?

It is right to bring injustice to God and ask Him to act, because justice belongs to Him. David's psalm shows real emotion, and some of his words reflect his own humanity. Jesus shows us a fuller way, praying for those who hurt Him and trusting the Father to judge rightly.

How did Jesus respond to His enemies?

Jesus taught us to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us. On the cross He prayed, Father, forgive them. He did not pretend the wrong was small, but He entrusted Himself to the Father who judges justly.

Links

If you would love to study the psalms with other women and bring your real questions to God, the contemplative Bible Study Live retreat in Maui is a sweet place to do that.

Bible Study Live is a small-group Bible study trip with Rachael Groll. Study Scripture where it happened in Rome, or slow down for a contemplative Bible study retreat in Maui. Dates and details at BibleStudyLive.org

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