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Matthew Henry

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 140:1

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,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 140:2

Which imagine mischiefs in their heart ,.... This shows that not a single person barely is meant but more, as Saul's courtiers; who were secretly and continually meditating mischief against David, traducing him to Saul, and devising things to take away his life. Such were the Jews to Christ, who were always plotting to entangle him, or contriving to kill him; and so wicked men are ever devising mischief against the quiet in the land, which is very abominable to God; and rightly observed... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 140:3

They have sharpened their tongues like a serpent ,.... Which Kimchi says it does before it bites. Aristotle F9 Hist. Animal. l. 2. c. 17. observes, that the tip or extreme point of a serpent's tongue is as small as a hair, and so exceeding sharp and piercing. Arama interprets this of the sharpness and cunning of the serpent; and particularly the serpent that deceived Eve, and spake cunningly to her. "For God knoweth", &c.; and may design the calumnies and detractions, which were... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 140:1

From the evil man - Saul, who was full of envy, jealousy, and cruelty against David, to whom both himself and his kingdom were under the highest obligations, endeavored by every means to destroy him. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 140:2

They gathered together - He and his courtiers form plots and cabals against my life. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 140:3

They have sharpened their tongues - They employ their time in forging lies and calumnies against me; and those of the most virulent nature. read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 140:1

Verse 1 To the chief Musician, etc. I cannot bring myself to restrict this Psalm to Doeg, as the great body of interpreters do, for the context will clearly show that it speaks of Saul, and of the counselors who ceased not to inflame the king — himself sufficiently incensed against the life of one who was a saint of God. Being as he was a figure of Christ, we need not wonder that the agents of the devil directed so much of their rage against him. And this is the reason why he animadverts so... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 140:2

Verse 2 2.Who imagine mischief’s in their heart. Here he charges them with inward malignity of heart. And it is plain that the reference is not to one man merely, for he passes to the plural number (in a manner sufficiently common,) reverting from the head to all his associates and copartners in guilt. Indeed what was formerly said in the singular number may be taken indefinitely, as grammarians say. In general he repeats what I have noticed already, that the hostility to which he was subjected... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 140:1

Deliver me, O Lord, from the evil man . The prayer is not directed against an individual, but against David's enemies generally. They are "evil" or "wicked" men, and especially "men of violence" (see the next clause, and comp. Psalms 140:4 ). Preserve me from the violent man ; literally, from the man of violences . read more

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