What is the meaning of Psalm 140:8?

Grant not, O LORD

“Grant not, O LORD…” (Psalm 140:8) is an immediate, urgent plea. David turns first to the only One with real authority.

• Scripture always encourages direct, confident approaches to God (Hebrews 4:16; Psalm 62:8).

• By starting with “LORD,” David acknowledges that God alone decides what will and will not happen (Proverbs 19:21).

• The prayer recognizes God’s righteous character; He cannot be bribed or manipulated (Deuteronomy 32:4).

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the desires of the wicked;

David knows that what the wicked long for is contrary to God’s ways.

• Their “desires” are more than passing wishes; they reveal a heart set on evil (Genesis 6:5; Proverbs 15:26).

• Asking God to withhold those desires affirms that evil impulses, if unchecked, cause real harm (James 1:14-15).

• The verse teaches believers to pray not only for positive blessings but also for the restraint of evil (1 Timothy 2:1-2).

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do not promote their evil plans,

David adds a second layer: prevent progress, not just desire.

• Evil can escalate from imagination to implementation; David prays for divine intervention at the planning stage (Psalm 33:10; Job 5:12).

• “Promote” reminds us that only God permits any plan to succeed (Isaiah 14:27).

• Calling those designs “evil” aligns with God’s moral verdict, not merely human opinion (Romans 1:28-32).

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lest they be exalted.

If wicked plans prosper, the wicked are emboldened.

• Scripture warns that success can harden evildoers and mislead observers (Psalm 10:4-6; Malachi 3:15).

• David fears a domino effect: victory breeds pride, pride spawns further rebellion (Proverbs 16:18).

• The righteous care about God’s reputation; unchecked evil can obscure His justice (Habakkuk 1:13).

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Selah

This call to pause invites reflection.

• We stop to weigh the seriousness of evil’s advance and God’s power to stop it (Psalm 46:10).

• Selah also signals trust: after praying, David rests in God’s answer (Psalm 3:4).

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summary

Psalm 140:8 teaches believers to run first to God, asking Him to restrain wicked desires before they mature into action. Denying evil its success protects society and magnifies God’s righteousness. The verse models bold, discerning prayer that both upholds God’s sovereignty and seeks the triumph of His justice.