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Psalm 140:12
I know that the LORD will maintain the cause of the afflicted, and justice for the needy.
10Let burning coals fall on them. Let them be thrown into the fire, into miry pits, from where they never rise.
11An evil speaker won’t be established on the earth. Evil will hunt the violent man to overthrow him.
12I know that the LORD will maintain the cause of the afflicted, and justice for the needy.
13Surely the righteous will give thanks to your name. The upright will dwell in your presence.
Notice
The words “I know” express confidence in God’s justice after fierce prayers against violent people, even though the verse reports no end to the affliction.
Questions to write on. Each one opens a new entry with this verse already attached.
Where do you find it hard to share the confidence expressed in “I know”?
Write on thisWhose need for justice comes to mind when you read about the afflicted and needy?
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Where else Scripture says this
12 passages readers most often link with this verse, and the thread each one shares with it.
This verse's connections, by chapterThe Bible's strongest chapter linksHover or tap a book to trace it
Psalm 9:4For you have maintained my just cause. You sit on the throne judging righteously.Both speak of God maintaining a cause, with Psalm 9 recalling justice received and Psalm 140 expressing confidence in justice to come.
Proverbs 22:23for the LORD will plead their case, and plunder the life of those who plunder them.Both describe the LORD taking up a case, with Proverbs adding judgment against those who plunder.
Psalm 109:31For he will stand at the right hand of the needy, to save him from those who judge his soul.Both portray God as the defender of the needy, with Psalm 109 describing his help against those who judge them.
1 Kings 8:49then hear their prayer and their supplication in heaven, your dwelling place, and maintain their cause;The prayer in Kings asks God to maintain his people’s cause; Psalm 140 expresses confidence that he will maintain the afflicted’s cause.
Proverbs 23:10–11Don’t move the ancient boundary stone. Don’t encroach on the fields of the fatherless,Both concern vulnerable people’s rights: Psalm 140 affirms God’s justice, while Proverbs forbids encroaching on the fields of the fatherless.
1 Kings 8:45then hear in heaven their prayer and their supplication, and maintain their cause.Both speak of God maintaining a cause, one as a plea for him to hear prayer and the other as an assurance.
Psalm 82:4Rescue the weak and needy. Deliver them out of the hand of the wicked.”Both concern the needy facing wrong: Psalm 140 affirms God’s justice, while Psalm 82 commands their rescue from the wicked.
Jeremiah 22:16He judged the cause of the poor and needy; so then it was well. Wasn’t this to know me?” says the LORD.Both name the cause of the needy as deserving justice, and Jeremiah links judging that cause with knowing the LORD.
Job 36:6He doesn’t preserve the life of the wicked, but gives justice to the afflicted.Both passages state that God provides justice for the afflicted.
Psalm 35:10All my bones shall say, “LORD, who is like you, who delivers the poor from him who is too strong for him; yes, the poor and the needy from him who robs him?”Both describe the LORD helping the needy, with Psalm 35 naming deliverance from someone too strong for them.
Matthew 11:5the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have good news preached to them.Both speak of help reaching people in need, though Matthew describes healing and good news rather than the maintenance of a cause.
Job 5:15But he saves from the sword of their mouth, even the needy from the hand of the mighty.Both describe God acting for the needy, with Job naming rescue from the hand of the mighty.
Where this verse fits
Injustice and anger. waiting. fear for the future.
One step
Something small to carry out of this verse
Encouragement
The verse gives no timetable for relief. Its confidence rests on who YHWH is: he will maintain the cause of the afflicted and justice for the needy.
Now put it in your words.
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Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info (CC BY). Scripture from the World English Bible (public domain). Arc diagram after Chris Harrison and Christoph Römhild (2007).