Psalm 140:5

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 140:1-7

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... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 140:5

The proud have hid a snare for me, and cords ,.... These were the Ziphites, according to Arama; see Psalm 119:85 ; the character well agrees with the Scribes and Pharisees, who were proud boasters, and despised others, and often laid snares for Christ to take away his life; and with the enemies of the church and people of God; who, through their pride, persecute them, and are insidious, and use artful methods to ensnare them; as the fowler lays his snare for the bird, and has his cords to... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 140:5

Have hid a snare for me - They hunted David as they would a dangerous wild beast: one while striving to pierce him with the spear; another to entangle him in their snares, so as to take and sacrifice him before the people, on pretense of his being an enemy to the state. Selah - This is the truth. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 140:1-13

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 140:1-13

In danger. The position of the psalmist is that of a man in danger. His enemies are strong and cunning; they are bent on his destruction, and spare no pains to accomplish his ruin. At such a time the godly man has one resource which never fails him. The psalm speaks to us of— I. THE PERILS WHICH SURROUND US . These are twofold. 1. That of violence . ( Psalms 140:4 , Psalms 140:11 .) Not the violence of the sword and the spear, but that of fierce, forcible... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 140:1-13

Our adversary and our Defense. Some there are who unhesitatingly and strongly condemn this psalm: they say it moves only on the low plane of bodily needs; it never mounts up to holy, spiritual desire at all. Further, it is wholly personal, not to say selfish; it is all for "me," no one else, throughout the psalm; also, it is aflame with the "burning coals" of fierce revenge, and is, at the same time, saturated with self-righteousness. Such are the charges brought against this psalm, and a... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

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

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 140:5

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

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Psalms 140:4-5

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

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Psalms 140:1-13

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

Group of Brands