Keep me, O Lord, from the hands of the wicked ... - See the notes at Psalms 71:4. This is a repetition of the prayer in Psalms 140:1.Who have purposed to overthrow my goings - To thrust me down as I go; to defeat my plans; to destroy me. They endeavor to prevent my accomplishing what I had designed to do. read more
The proud have hid a snare for me - Haughty; arrogant; oppressive men. See Psalms 35:7, note; Psalms 57:6, note.And cords - Strings; twine; as those do who lay a net to catch birds, and who design to spring it upon them unawares.They have spread a net by the wayside - Where I may be expected to walk, and where it may be suddenly sprung upon me.They have set gins for me - Snares, toils - such as are set for wild beasts. The meaning is, that they had not only made open war upon him, but they had... read more
Psalms 140:4-5. Keep me from the hands of the wicked Hebrew, רשׁע , the wicked man. Let him not prevail to take away my life, my reputation, my interest, or my comfort, or to prevent my coming to the throne. Preserve me from the violent man Hebrew, מאישׁ חמסים , (as also in Psalms 140:1,) from the man of violences, injuries, or rapines; who hath purposed Whose design and full resolution it is, if thou do not prevent it; to overthrow my goings My feet, or footsteps; that is, to... read more
Psalm 140 - 143 Troubles for the godlyThese four psalms are similar, and from the title of Psalms 142:0 it appears that all four belong to the time when David was fleeing from Saul. (See introductory notes to Psalms 34:0.)Treachery and slander are the chief weapons that David’s enemies use to attack him. These men have the poison of snakes and the cunning of hunters (140:1-5). But Yahweh is David’s God, his defender in whom he trusts for victory (6-8). David’s enemies will receive a fitting... read more
wicked = lawless. Hebrew. rasha'. App-41 . read more
by the wayside. See Job 18:10 . read more
STROPHE II"Keep me, O Jehovah, from the hands of the wicked;Preserve me from the violent man:Who have purposed to thrust aside my steps.The proud have hid a snare for me, and cords;They have spread a net by the wayside;They have set gins for me.(Selah)"Here again, as in the first strophe, we have the singular nouns coupled with plural verbs, indicating the collective meaning of the nouns. "The wicked" and "violent man" are singular, but the verbs "have purposed," "have hid" and "have set" are... read more
2-5. This character of the wicked, and the devices planned against the pious, correspond to Psalms 10:7; Psalms 31:13; Psalms 58:4, &c. read more
5. snare [and] net—for threatening dangers (compare Psalms 38:12; Psalms 57:6). read more
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The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 140:5
The proud have hid a snare for me, and cords. An instance of the figure hendiadys . What is meant is a snare composed of cords. Such snares, when laid for animals, were "hidden" in long grass, or low shrubs, or rough ground. They have spread a net by the wayside; they have set gins for me (comp. Psalms 31:4 ; Psalms 35:7 ; Psalms 57:6 ; Psalms 119:10 ; Psalms 141:9 ; Psalms 142:3 ). A second pause-sign marks off a second stanza. read more