The Bible: Psalms Chapter 140: with Audio and Commentary.

Version: World English Bible.

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Psalms Chapter 140 For the Chief Musician. A Psalm by David.

1 Deliver me, LORD, from the evil man. Preserve me from the violent man:

2 those who devise mischief in their hearts. They continually gather themselves together for war.

3 They have sharpened their tongues like a serpent. Viper's poison is under their lips. Selah.

4 LORD, keep me from the hands of the wicked. Preserve me from the violent men who have determined to trip my feet.

5 The proud have hidden a snare for me, they have spread the cords of a net by the path. They have set traps for me. Selah.

6 I said to the LORD, "You are my God." Listen to the cry of my petitions, LORD.

7 LORD, the Lord, the strength of my salvation, you have covered my head in the day of battle.

8 LORD, don't grant the desires of the wicked. Don't let their evil plans succeed, or they will become proud. Selah.

9 As for the head of those who surround me, let the mischief of their own lips cover them.

10 Let burning coals fall on them. Let them be thrown into the fire, into miry pits, from where they never rise.

11 An evil speaker won't be established in the earth. Evil will hunt the violent man to overthrow him.

12 I know that the LORD will maintain the cause of the afflicted, and justice for the needy.

13 Surely the righteous will give thanks to your name. The upright will dwell in your presence.

Footnotes

Version: World English Bible

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Psalms Chapter 140 For the Chief Musician. A Psalm by David. Guide

The previous five psalms have dealt with the absolute sufficiency of Jehovah. Their titles will indicate this, "Jehovah the Object of His people’s praise, Jehovah the God of mercy, Jehovah the God of Judgement, Jehovah the Perfecter, Jehovah Omniscient and Omnipresent."

In the four which follow a different note is struck. They reveal the need of man, and his utter helplessness. Yet they stand over against the former five. The appeal of all of them is made out of dire necessity to absolute sufficiency. They lead up to another which thrills with thanksgiving as it expresses the consciousness of how perfectly the resources of Jehovah meet the need of man.

The present psalm deals with the subject of foes without. The singer is conscious that he is surrounded by enemies. The first movement (vv. Psalms 140:1-5) describes the malice of the enemies, and ends with prayer for preservation. The second (vv. Psalms 140:6-10) commences with earnest prayer, the confidence of which is based upon past experiences of deliverance; and it ends with a definite request for the discomfiture of his foes. The final movement (vv. Psalms 140:11-13) is an affirmation of faith. The singer is confident that in the government of Jehovah evil men cannot continue. The afflicted will be delivered, and the righteous and upright will be perfectly vindicated.

From "An Exposition of the Whole Bible" by G. Campbell Morgan.

Psalms Chapter 140 Commentary

Chapter Outline

  1. David encourages himself in God. -- (1-7)
  2. He prays for, and prophesies the destruction of, his persecutors. -- (8-13)

Verses 1-7

The more danger appears, the more earnest we should be in prayer to God. All are safe whom the Lord protects. If he be for us, who can be against us? We should especially watch and pray, that the Lord would hold up our goings in his ways, that our footsteps slip not. God is as able to keep his people from secret fraud as from open force; and the experience we have had of his power and care, in dangers of one kind, may encourage us to depend upon him in other dangers.

Verses 8-13

Believers may pray that God would not grant the desires of the wicked, nor further their evil devices. False accusers will bring mischief upon themselves, even the burning coals of Divine vengeance. And surely the righteous shall dwell in God's presence, and give him thanks for evermore. This is true thanksgiving, even thanks-living: this use we should make of all our deliverances, we should serve God the more closely and cheerfully. Those who, though evil spoken of and ill-used by men, are righteous in the sight of God, being justified by the righteousness of Christ, which is imputed to them, and received by faith, as the effect of which, they live soberly and righteously; these give thanks to the Lord, for the righteousness whereby they are made righteous, and for every blessing of grace, and mercy of life.

From the "Concise Commentary on the Bible" by Matthew Henry.