140:4 Keep {d} me, O LORD, from the hands of the wicked; preserve me from the violent man; who have purposed to overthrow my goings.(d) He declares the remedy of the godly, when they are oppressed by the worldlings. 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
It will be truly profitable in this, as in similar psalms, describing the soul under exercises, to view Christ, our pattern, our example, our surety. It is he who hath carried our griefs, as well as borne our sins, and never can a soul find equal relief under any affliction, be that affliction what it may, as when looking unto Jesus. Sweetly doth the Holy Ghost teach this, when commanding the church to consider Him, who endured such a contradiction of sinners against himself, lest the people... read more
Sins. Such excuses are always vain. (St. Jerome) --- God does not incline any to sin, as the Manichee elect pretended. (St. Augustine) --- The pride of the human heart would throw the blame of sin on any but itself. (Haydock) --- Sometimes, fate, predestination, &c., are charged with it. Our first parents excused themselves; but David candidly confessed his sins, and was presently pardoned. (Berthier) --- Choicest. Hebrew also, "I will not eat of their most delicious meats." I will have... read more
1-7 The more danger appears, the more earnest we should be in prayer to God. All are safe whom the Lord protects. If he be for us, who can be against us? We should especially watch and pray, that the Lord would hold up our goings in his ways, that our footsteps slip not. God is as able to keep his people from secret fraud as from open force; and the experience we have had of his power and care, in dangers of one kind, may encourage us to depend upon him in other dangers. 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