the desires of the wicked

Psalm 140

v8

Grant not, O LORD, the desires of the wicked: further not his wicked device; [lest] they exalt themselves. Selah.

If we want the Lord to grant the things we desire to us, we need to make sure we're not wicked. This verse prays for the Lord to not grant the wicked peoples' desires.

Verse (v)2 talks about our imagination. One way to make sure we're not wicked is to make sure the things we imagine are right.

v1,4, and 11 talk about violence. I've had to stop myself several times lately from imagining violent things. Here's a way to make sure we're not wicked. We shouldn't talk about violence either.

v3,9, and 11 talk about the way we talk. We shouldn't talk wickedly or violently.

Finally, v8 talks about how wicked people will "exalt" (or lift up) themselves. We should be humble.

From: I Will Sing the Wondrous Story

By Francis Rowley, 1886 and Peter Bilhorn, 1886

He will keep me till the river
Rolls its waters at my feet;
Then He’ll bear me safely over,
Where the loved ones I shall meet.

Yes, I’ll sing the wondrous story
Of the Christ Who died for me,
Sing it with the saints in glory,
Gathered by the crystal sea.

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