Psalms 140
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Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
A Psalm of praise to God for His mighty, righteous, and gracious government of all men, and of His humble and suffering people in particular. (Psa. 145:1-21) (Compare Psa 30:1). bless thy name--celebrate Thy perfections (Psa 5:11). God is addressed as king, alluding to His government of men.
Open source ↗Deliver me, O Lord, from the evil man,.... Either Saul; so Theodoret; or rather Doeg, according to R. Obadiah: but Jarchi interprets it of Esau; by whom he means Edom, or Rome, or rather the Christians in general. Were his sense confined to the Papists, he might be thought to be much in the right; for this is applicable enough to the man of sin, and his followers: for it may be understood collectively of a body of evil men; all men are evil by nature, their hearts, thoughts, words, works, and ways. David's enemies were evil men; and so were Christ's; as Herod, Judas in particular, and the Jews in general: and such are the enemies of God's people; the world, profane sinners, persecutors, and false teachers; and to be delivered from such is desirable, and to be prayed for, and an happiness when enjoyed; see Th2 3:2; preserve me from the violent man: or, "the man of violences" (h); of a violent spirit, that breathes out slaughter and death; of a fierce countenance, of blustering words, and furious actions. Such a man was Doeg; who loved evil, and all devouring words, devised mischief, and boasted in it, Psa 52:1; and Herod, who in his wrath, being disappointed, ordered sit the infants in and about Bethlehem to be slain; and the Jews, who were violently set on the death of Christ, and vehemently desired it: and such are all violent persecutors of the church of God, who clothe themselves with the garment of violence, and drink the wine of it; and to be preserved from such is a great mercy. (h) "a viro violentiarum", Piscator, Gejerus, Michaelis.
Open source ↗The assimilation of the Nun of the verb נצר is given up, as in Psa 61:8; Psa 78:7, and frequently, in order to make the form more full-toned. The relative clause shows that אישׁ חמסים is not intended to be understood exclusively of one person. בּלב strengthens the notion of that which is deeply concealed and premeditated. It is doubtful whether יגוּרוּ signifies to form into troops or to stir up. But from the fact that גּוּר in Psa 56:7; Psa 59:4, Isa 54:15, signifies not congregare but se congregare, it is to be inferred that גּוּר in the passage before us, like גּרה (or התגּרה in Deu 2:9, Deu 2:24), in Syriac and Targumic גּרג, signifies concitare, to excite (cf. שׂוּר together with שׂרה, Hos 12:4.). In Psa 140:4 the Psalm coincides with Psa 64:4; Psa 58:5. They sharpen their tongue, so that it inflicts a fatal sting like the tongue of a serpent, and under their lips, shooting out from thence, is the poison of the adder (cf. Sol 4:11). עכשׁוּב is a ἅπαξ λεγομ. not from כּשׁב (Jesurun, p. 207), but from עכשׁ, Arab. ‛ks and ‛kš, root ‛k (vid., Fleischer on Isa 59:5, עכּבישׁ), both of which have the significations of bending, turning, and coiling after the manner of a serpent; the Beth is an organic addition modifying the meaning of the root. (Note: According to the original Lexicons Arab. ‛ks signifies to bend one's self, to wriggle, to creep sideways like the roots of the vine, in the V form to move one's self like an adder (according to the Ḳamûs) and to walk like a drunken man (according to Neshwn); but Arab. ‛kš signifies to be intertwined, knit or closely united together, said of hairs and of the branches of trees, in the V form to fight hand to hand and to get in among the crowd. The root is apparently expanded into עכשׁוב by an added Beth which serves as a…
Open source ↗In this, as in other things, David was a type of Christ, that he suffered before he reigned, was humbled before he was exalted, and that as there were many who loved and valued him, and sought to do him honour, so there were many who hated and envied him, and sought to do him mischief, as appears by these verses, where, I. He gives a character of his enemies, and paints them out in their own colours, as dangerous men, whom he had reason to be afraid of, but wicked men, whom he had no reason to think the righteous God would countenance. There was one that seems to have been the ring-leader of them, whom he calls the evil man and the man of violences (Psa 140:1, Psa 140:4), probably he means Saul. The Chaldee paraphrast (Psa 140:9) names both Doeg and Ahithophel; but between them there was a great distance of time. Violent men are evil men. But there were many besides this one who were confederate against David, who are here represented as the genuine offspring and seed of the serpent. For, 1. They are very subtle, crafty to do mischief; they have imagined it (Psa 140:2), have laid the scheme with all the art and cunning imaginable. They have purposed and plotted to overthrow the goings of a good man (Psa 140:4), to draw him into sin and trouble, to ruin him by blasting his reputation, crushing his interest, and taking away his life. For this purpose they have, like mighty hunters, hidden a snare, and spread a net, and set gins (Psa 140:5), that their designs against him, being kept undiscovered, might be the more likely to take effect, and he might fall into their hands ere he was aware. Great persecutors have often been great politicians, which has indeed made them the more formidable; but the Lord preserves the simple without all those arts. 2. They are very spiteful,…
Open source ↗Ps 140 In this individual lament, the psalmist artistically sketches God’s enemies with all their evil intents. He prays for the Lord’s protection and rescue with confidence in God’s strength and justice. He foresees the evil as being judged by fire (140:9-11) and himself as being vindicated and dwelling in the Lord’s presence (140:13). 140:1-3 The psalmist prays for the Lord to rescue him from wicked people.
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
נָצַח (nâtsach, H5329) — properly, to glitter from afar, i.e. to be eminent (as a superintendent, especially of… מִזְמוֹר (mizmôwr, H4210) — properly, instrumental music; by implication, a poem set to notes דָּוִד (Dâvid, H1732) — David, the youngest son of Jesse חָלַץ (châlats, H2502) — to pull off; hence (intensively) to strip, (reflex.) to depart; by implication, to… יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God רַע (raʻ, H7451) — bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral) אָדָם (ʼâdâm, H120) — ruddy i.e. a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.) נָצַר (nâtsar, H5341) — to guard, in a good sense (to protect, maintain, obey, etc.) or a bad one (to conceal,… חָמָס (châmâç, H2555) — violence; by implication, wrong; by meton. unjust gain אִישׁ (ʼîysh, H376) — a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term…
Open source ↗חָשַׁב (châshab, H2803) — properly, to plait or interpenetrate, i.e. (literally) to weave or (generally) to… רַע (raʻ, H7451) — bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral) לֵב (lêb, H3820) — the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the… יוֹם (yôwm, H3117) — a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to… גּוּר (gûwr, H1481) — properly, to turn aside from the road (for a lodging or any other purpose), i.e. sojourn… מִלְחָמָה (milchâmâh, H4421) — a battle (i.e. the engagement); generally, war (i.e. warfare)
Open source ↗שָׁנַן (shânan, H8150) — to point (transitive or intransitive); intensively, to pierce; figuratively, to inculcate לָשׁוֹן (lâshôwn, H3956) — the tongue (of man or animals), used literally (as the instrument of licking, eating, or… נָחָשׁ (nâchâsh, H5175) — a snake (from its hiss) עַכְשׁוּב (ʻakshûwb, H5919) — an asp (from lurking coiled up) חֵמָה (chêmâh, H2534) — heat; figuratively, anger, poison (from its fever) שָׂפָה (sâphâh, H8193) — the lip (as a natural boundary); by implication, language; by analogy, a margin (of a… סֶלָה (çelâh, H5542) — suspension (of music), i.e. pause
Open source ↗שָׁמַר (shâmar, H8104) — properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e. guard; generally, to protect, attend to,… יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God יָד (yâd, H3027) — a hand (the open one (indicating power, means, direction, etc.), רָשָׁע (râshâʻ, H7563) — morally wrong; concretely, an (actively) bad person נָצַר (nâtsar, H5341) — to guard, in a good sense (to protect, maintain, obey, etc.) or a bad one (to conceal,… חָמָס (châmâç, H2555) — violence; by implication, wrong; by meton. unjust gain אִישׁ (ʼîysh, H376) — a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term… חָשַׁב (châshab, H2803) — properly, to plait or interpenetrate, i.e. (literally) to weave or (generally) to… דָּחָה (dâchâh, H1760) — to push down פַּעַם (paʻam, H6471) — a stroke, literally or figuratively (in various applications, as follow)
Open source ↗גֵּאֶה (gêʼeh, H1343) — lofty; figuratively, arrogant טָמַן (ṭâman, H2934) — to hide (by covering over) פַּח (pach, H6341) — a (metallic) sheet (as pounded thin); also a spring net (as spread out like a lamina) חֶבֶל (chebel, H2256) — a rope (as twisted), especially a measuring line; by implication, a district or… פָּרַשׂ (pâras, H6566) — to break apart, disperse, etc. רֶשֶׁת (resheth, H7568) — a net (as catching animals) יָד (yâd, H3027) — a hand (the open one (indicating power, means, direction, etc.), מַעְגָּל (maʻgâl, H4570) — a track (literally or figuratively); also a rampart (as circular) שִׁית (shîyth, H7896) — to place (in a very wide application) מוֹקֵשׁ (môwqêsh, H4170) — a noose (for catching animals) (literally or figuratively); by implication, a hook (for… סֶלָה (çelâh, H5542) — suspension (of music), i.e. pause
Open source ↗אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God אֵל (ʼêl, H410) — strength; as adjective, mighty; especially the Almighty (but used also of any deity) אָזַן (ʼâzan, H238) — to broaden out the ear (with the hand), i.e. (by implication) to listen קוֹל (qôwl, H6963) — a voice or sound תַּחֲנוּן (tachănûwn, H8469) — earnest prayer
Open source ↗יְהֹוִה (Yᵉhôvih, H3069) — {YHWH} אֲדֹנָי (ʼĂdônây, H136) — the Lord (used as a proper name of God only) עֹז (ʻôz, H5797) — strength in various applications (force, security, majesty, praise) יְשׁוּעָה (yᵉshûwʻâh, H3444) — something saved, i.e. (abstractly) deliverance; hence, aid, victory, prosperity סָכַךְ (çâkak, H5526) — properly, to entwine as ascreen; by implication, to fence in, cover over, (figuratively)… רֹאשׁ (rôʼsh, H7218) — the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of… יוֹם (yôwm, H3117) — a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to… נֶשֶׁק (nesheq, H5402) — military equipment, i.e. (collectively) arms (offensive or defensive), or (concretely) an…
Open source ↗נָתַן (nâthan, H5414) — to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.) יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God מַאֲוַי (maʼăvay, H3970) — a desire רָשָׁע (râshâʻ, H7563) — morally wrong; concretely, an (actively) bad person פּוּק (pûwq, H6329) — to issue, i.e. furnish; causatively, to secure; figuratively, to succeed זָמָם (zâmâm, H2162) — a plot רוּם (rûwm, H7311) — to be high actively, to rise or raise (in various applications, literally or figuratively) סֶלָה (çelâh, H5542) — suspension (of music), i.e. pause
Open source ↗רֹאשׁ (rôʼsh, H7218) — the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of… מֵסַב (mêçab, H4524) — a divan (as enclosing the room); abstractly (adverbial) around עָמָל (ʻâmâl, H5999) — toil, i.e. wearing effort; hence, worry, wheth. of body or mind שָׂפָה (sâphâh, H8193) — the lip (as a natural boundary); by implication, language; by analogy, a margin (of a… כָּסָה (kâçâh, H3680) — properly, to plump, i.e. fill up hollows; by implication, to cover (for clothing or…
Open source ↗גֶּחֶל (gechel, H1513) — an ember מוֹט (môwṭ, H4131) — to waver; by implication, to slip, shake, fall נָפַל (nâphal, H5307) — to fall, in a great variety of applications (intransitive or causative, literal or… אֵשׁ (ʼêsh, H784) — fire (literally or figuratively) מַהֲמֹרָה (mahămôrâh, H4113) — perhaps an abyss קוּם (qûwm, H6965) — to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)
Open source ↗אִישׁ (ʼîysh, H376) — a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term… לָשׁוֹן (lâshôwn, H3956) — the tongue (of man or animals), used literally (as the instrument of licking, eating, or… כּוּן (kûwn, H3559) — properly, to be erect (i.e. stand perpendicular); hence (causatively) to set up, in a… אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land) רַע (raʻ, H7451) — bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral) צוּד (tsûwd, H6679) — to lie alongside (i.e. in wait); by implication, to catch an animal (figuratively, men);… חָמָס (châmâç, H2555) — violence; by implication, wrong; by meton. unjust gain מְדַחְפָה (mᵉdachphâh, H4073) — a push, i.e. ruin
Open source ↗יָדַע (yâdaʻ, H3045) — to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses,… יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application דִּין (dîyn, H1779) — judgement (the suit, justice, sentence or tribunal); by implication also strife עָנִי (ʻânîy, H6041) — depressed, in mind or circumstances מִשְׁפָּט (mishpâṭ, H4941) — properly, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a… אֶבְיוֹן (ʼebyôwn, H34) — destitute
Open source ↗צַדִּיק (tsaddîyq, H6662) — just יָדָה (yâdâh, H3034) — physically, to throw (a stone, an arrow) at or away; especially to revere or worship… שֵׁם (shêm, H8034) — an appellation, as amark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority,… יָשָׁר (yâshâr, H3477) — straight (literally or figuratively) יָשַׁב (yâshab, H3427) — properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to… פָּנִים (pânîym, H6440) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and…
Open source ↗Cross-references
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who delivers me from my enemies. You exalt me above my foes; You rescue me from violent men.
Guard me, O LORD, from the hands of the wicked. Keep me safe from men of violence who scheme to make me stumble.
Deliver me, O my God, from the hand of the wicked, from the grasp of the unjust and ruthless.
Arise, O LORD, confront them! Bring them to their knees; deliver me from the wicked by Your sword,
May no slanderer be established in the land; may calamity hunt down the man of violence.
Vindicate me, O God, and plead my case against an ungodly nation; deliver me from deceitful and unjust men.