Psalms 140

This Psalm was composed by David upon occasion of those slanderous and reproachful speeches and treacherous dealings which David had from his enemies, in Sauls time, of which we have an account in the history.

DEliver, me, O LORD, from the evil man Either Saul or Doeg or some other malicious enemy, or rather enemies: the word man being taken collectively for men, as appears from the next verse, where he speaks of this man in the Plural number.: preserve me from the violent man.

Which imagine mischiefs in their heart: continually are they gathered together for war To execute those bloody enterprises which they had devised in the first clause of this verse..

They have sharpned their tongues Their malicious hearts stirred up their tongues to utter vile slanders against me. like a serpent Either whetting their tongues as serpents are said to whet theirs when they are about to bite: or rather, using words as sharp and piercing as the sting of a serpent.; adders poison is under their lips.

Keep me, O LORD, from the hands of the wicked, preserve me from the violent man, who have purposed Whose design and full resolution it is, if thou dost not prevent it. to overthrow my goings Or, my... eet or footsteps, i. e. to throw me down to the ground, to defeat all my hopes and counsels, and bring me to ruine..

The proud My in... olent enemies who despise me for my meanness, and exalt themselves against thee. have hid a snare for me, and cords, they have spread a net by the way side In which I used to walk.: they have set grins for me. Selah.

I said unto the LORD, Thou art my God: hear the voice of my supplications, O LORD.

O GOD the Lord, the strength of my salvation; thou hast covered my head With thy powerful protection as with an helmet or shield. in the day of battel.

Grant not, O LORD, the desires of the wicked, further not his wicked device Which is to destroy me., lest they exalt themselves Not only against me, but against thee also, as if by their power and policy they had frustrated thy design and promise made to me.. Selah.

As for the head Or, beads, the Singular number put for the Plural, as is frequent. By which he understands either, 1. their politick heads, their chiefs or ring-leaders, who were most malicious, and by whom all the rest were supported and stirred up: or, 2. their proper and natural heads, as this word is used v. 7. and this covering of their heads here is opposed to that covering of Davids head there. of those that compass me about, let the mischief of their own lips cover them Let the mischief which by their calumnies they design against me, fall upon themselves..

Let burning coals Divine vengeance, which is compared to coals of fire, as Psal. 18. 12. and elsewhere. fall upon them, let them be cast into the fire: into deep pits, that they rise not up again Either to my danger, or to their own comfort..

Let not an evil speaker Such as slander me and other innocent persons, to exasperate Princes against us. be established in the earth: evil Either the evil of punishment, or, which comes to the same thing, the evil of sin, their own wickedness, which shall recoil upon themselves. shall hunt the violent man to overthrow him.

I know Both by Gods word which has promised it, and by my own experience of it in the course of Gods providence. that the LORD will maintain the cause of the afflicted, and the right of the poor.

Surely the righteous shall give thanks unto thy Name Shall have occasion to praise thee for their deliverance., the upright shall dwell in thy presence Shall constantly enjoy thy gracious and powerful presence and assistance..