Whose design and full resolution it is, if thou dost not prevent it, to overthrow my goings, or my feet or footsteps, i.e. to throw me down to the ground, to defeat all my hopes and counsels, and bring me to ruin. read more
INTRODUCTION“This Psalm is a prayer for protection against enemies who were at once violent and crafty, and unscrupulous in the use of their tongues. The general strain of the Psalm is like that of many which occur in the earlier books, and like them it is ascribed to David. In tone and language it resembles Psalms 58, 64. The chief peculiarity of the Psalm is, that it has several words which occur nowhere else.”—Perowne.In ascribing the Psalm to David, the superscription is confirmed by the... read more
Psalms 140:1-13 , another psalm of David.Deliver me, O LORD, from the evil man: preserve me from the violent man; Which imagine mischiefs in their heart; continually are they gathered together for war. They have sharpened their tongues like a serpent; adders' poison is under their lips. Keep me, O LORD, from the hands of the wicked; preserve me from the violent man; who have purposed to overthrow my goings. The proud have hid a snare for me, the cords; they have spread a net by the wayside;... read more
This psalm was composed by David, on occasion of Saul’s persecution. The title, a psalm of David, is undisputed. Psalms 140:1 . From the evil man, Doëg the Edomite: from the violent man, Saul, whose name through delicacy David now forbears to mention. 1 Samuel 22:23. Psalms 140:10 . Let burning coals fall upon them, as on Sodom. For upon the wicked he shall rain snares of fire and brimstone. Psalms 11:6. The word imports spiritual visitations of God’s high displeasure. Yet David... read more
Psalms 140:1-13Deliver me, O Lord, from the evil man.God preserves His servantTo put Luther out of harm’s way for a while a prudent man took him prisoner, and kept him out of the strife in the castle of Wartburg. Luther could not be buried alive in ease; he must be getting on with his life work. He sends word to his friends that he who was coming would soon be with them, and on a sudden he appeared at Wittenburg. The prince meant to have kept him in retirement somewhat longer, and when the... read more
Psa 140:4 Keep me, O LORD, from the hands of the wicked; preserve me from the violent man; who have purposed to overthrow my goings. Ver. 4. Keep me ] Who am thus sought and set for; but thou canst rescue me. To overthrow my goings ] Praecipitare, to hurl me down headlong. read more
Keep me: Psalms 17:8, Psalms 17:9, Psalms 36:11, Psalms 37:32, Psalms 37:33-Matthew :, Psalms 55:1-Leviticus :, Psalms 71:4 preserve: Psalms 140:1 overthrow: Psalms 17:5, Proverbs 18:5 Reciprocal: Genesis 27:41 - then 1 Samuel 26:2 - Saul arose 2 Samuel 22:3 - thou savest Psalms 18:48 - violent man Psalms 25:19 - cruel hatred Psalms 132:16 - clothe read more
4. Keep me A repetition of the prayer of Psalms 140:1. Goings The word may mean either feet, or the steps of his feet. read more
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Arthur Peake's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 140:1-13
CXL. The Prayer of a Man hard Beset by Treacherous Foes.— It seems clear that the foes of whom the author complains are Jews, not foreign assailants. Slander and violence are their weapons, and the war which they stir up is party strife, not actual battle. Note further that the Psalmist characterises his enemies ( Psalms 140:5) as “ the proud”— a very natural term for the poor and pious Pharisee to use of the rich and aristocratic Sadducee. We have no certain indication of the date at which... read more