140:8 Grant not, O LORD, the desires of the wicked: {f} further not his wicked device; [lest] they exalt themselves. Selah.(f) For it is in God’s hand to overthrow the counsels and enterprises of the wicked. read more
140:9 [As for] {g} the head of those that compass me about, let the mischief of their own lips cover them.(g) It seems that he alludes to Saul. read more
Psalms 135:0 Praises God for choosing Jacob (Psalms 135:1-4 ), extols His power in the natural world (Psalms 135:5-7 ), and in the deliverance of His people from Egypt (Psalms 135:8-9 ) and bringing them into the promised land (Psalms 135:10-12 ). All this is in contrast to the vanity of idols (Psalms 135:13-18 ). Psalms 136:0 Is of the same character as the preceding, but is notable for the chorus attached to each verse a chorus with which we have become familiar in other psalms (Psalms 106:1... read more
This is a blessed appeal to the Lord! Where shall an exercised soul go in his affliction, but to a throne of grace? And how sure shall be the Lord's condemnation of the ungodly, when the cry of the sufferer ascends before the throne! read more
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,... read more
Prayer for Deliverance from Malicious Enemies. To the chief musician, for performance in public worship, a psalm of David, in which he presents to the Lord the usual complaint, adding to this a fervent prayer and confident hope of relief. v. 1. Deliver me, O Lord, from the evil man; preserve me from the violent man, one who delights in inflicting injuries, v. 2. which, that is, such people as a class, imagine mischiefs in their heart, ever planning evil and wickedness; continually are... read more
Psalms 140:0To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David2 Deliver me, O Lord, from the evil man:Preserve me from the violent man;3 Which imagine mischiefs in theirheart;Continually are they gathered together for war.4 They have sharpened their tongues like a serpent;Adders’ poison is under their lips. Selah.5 Keep me, O Lord, from the hands of the wicked;Preserve me from the violent man;Who have purposed to overthrow my goings.6 The proud have hid a snare for me, and... read more
Confidence in God’s Protection Psalms 140:1-13 Here is a picture of a man who is beset by foes. Around are slander and hatred; at his feet stratagems and traps. There is no help save in Him who alone can cover the head in the day of battle. Similar experiences befall God’s people still. Some are hunted by earthly enemies; others are stung by the fiery darts of the wicked. In Psalms 140:1-5 life is like a path through a forest, where adders hide and where gins are laid. At any moment the foe... read more
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... read more
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Arno Gaebelein's Annotated Bible - Psalms 140:1-13
Psalm 140-142 These three Psalms are Psalms of David. The third one in this series, 142 is another Maschil, the last Maschil Psalm, being a prayer when David was in the cave. In these Psalms the distress of Israel, the godly remnant of Israel, is again remembered. In Psalms 140:1-13 we see prophetically the evil and violent man, that man of sin of the last days. And therefore have we one more imprecatory prayer for the destruction of the wicked (verse 10). The last verses look forward to the... read more