Psalms 140:8 Meaning: When God Says No to Wicked Plans
Yahweh, don’t grant the desires of the wicked. Don’t let their evil plans succeed, or they will become proud. Selah.
Grant not, O Lord, the desires of the wicked: further not his wicked device; lest they exalt themselves. Selah.
Grant not, O Jehovah, the desires of the wicked; Further not his evil device, lest they exalt themselves. [Selah
Grant not, O Jehovah, the desires of the wicked, His wicked device bring not forth, They are high. Selah.
Grant not, O Jehovah, the desire of the wicked; further not his device: they would exalt themselves. Selah.
Meaning in one sentence
What does Psalm 140:8 mean? David prays God not to grant the wicked's desires. A plea for protection from evil and a warning against pride.
Context
Psalm 140 finds David in a desperate place. Violent men are plotting against him, slanderers sharpen their tongues like snakes. He has already declared his trust: 'You are my God.' Now he asks the Lord to block what they are planning. He does not want their schemes to succeed, because success would only make them prouder. The psalm ends with David's confident statement that God will maintain the cause of the afflicted and the right of the poor.
Key Words
Two phrases carry the weight. 'Grant not' is a plea for God to withhold success from an evil plan. The Hebrew idea behind 'further not' is something like 'do not bring it forth', stop it before it reaches the light of day. And 'lest they exalt themselves' reveals the danger: when the wicked succeed, they credit themselves. Pride follows. The brief word 'Selah' at the end signals a moment to pause and consider what you have just prayed. This is not a hasty petition; it is a measured request placed under God's wisdom.
How Christians Read This Verse
Christian readers have held different views on this kind of prayer. Many see it as part of the Old Testament context where David prays against literal enemies who threaten God's anointed king. Others apply it more broadly: it is right to ask God to frustrate any scheme that causes injustice or leads people into pride. The New Testament adds the call to love enemies and pray for their conversion. Yet even there, as Barnes notes, praying for a wicked person's plans to fail is a way of praying for their conversion, because success would only confirm them in evil. Both impulses seek God's justice and mercy.
A common misunderstanding
Some read this verse as a license to pray curses on anyone who opposes them. In fact, David's prayer rises from his identity as God's anointed, suffering unjustly. The focus is on God's justice, not personal revenge. The 'Selah' invites reflection, not rage. We can ask God to stop evil without hating the evildoer.
Living This Out
You may know someone whose dishonest scheme is gaining ground at work, or a person who spreads lies about you. You can bring that to God exactly as David does: 'Lord, don't let this succeed.' But then pause at the 'Selah.' Ask yourself: Is my heart set on God's glory or my own vindication? The prayer that stops a wicked plan also clears space for repentance. This week, when you sense evil advancing, speak David's words, then wait for God's timing.
Main takeaway: When evil plans succeed, pride follows; we can ask God to protect the innocent and humble the proud.
For Families
For ages 5, 8
Some people make bad plans. David asked God, 'Please don't let their bad plans work.' You can pray that too, because God is stronger than any bad plan.
For ages 9, 12
David was surrounded by enemies who wanted to hurt him. Instead of trying to fight them himself, he asked God to stop their plans. He knew that if their plans succeeded, they would become even more proud and further from God. When you see someone doing wrong that hurts others, you can pray for God to block what they are doing. And you can also pray that they would turn from their wrong path.
Questions People Ask
What does 'Selah' mean in Psalm 140:8?
Selah is a musical or liturgical marker found in the Psalms. Its exact meaning is uncertain, but it likely signals a pause for reflection. Here it invites the reader to stop and consider the weight of the prayer, that God would stop the wicked's plans so they do not become proud.
Is it wrong to pray for God to stop someone's evil plan?
No, it is not wrong. David models this prayer. The key is the heart behind it: you are asking for God's justice and protection, not personal revenge. As Barnes notes, praying for a wicked person's plans to fail can actually be a way of praying for their conversion, because success would only harden them in pride.
Does this verse contradict Jesus' command to love your enemies?
Not necessarily. Loving your enemy does not mean you must ignore their harmful actions. You can ask God to protect the innocent and thwart evil while still praying for the evildoer's repentance. The psalmist's trust is in God's final justice, which leaves room for mercy.
What does 'lest they exalt themselves' mean?
It means that if the wicked succeed in their plans, they will become proud and arrogant. They will credit themselves rather than God. This pride leads them further from repentance. The prayer is both for protection and for the preservation of humility in everyone.
How does this psalm apply to Christians today?
Christians face opposition, injustice, and slander in various forms. Like David, we can honestly bring these situations to God and ask Him to frustrate evil designs. We can also examine our own hearts so that success does not make us proud. The 'Selah' reminds us to pause and trust God's timing.
For pastors & researchers
Hebrew interlinear, 8 commentaries & word study