Read & Study the Bible Online - Bible Portal
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

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 140:8-13

Here is the believing foresight David had, I. Of the shame and confusion of persecutors. 1. Their disappointment. This he prays for (Ps. 140:8), that their lusts might not be gratified, their lust of ambition, envy, and revenge: ?Grant not, O Lord! the desires of the wicked, but frustrate them; let them not see the ruin of my interest, which they so earnestly wish to see; but hear the voice of my supplications.? He prays that their projects might not take effect, but be blasted: ?O further not... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 140:7

O God the Lord, the strength of my salvation ,.... Temporal and spiritual, which he was able to effect; the mighty God and mighty Saviour: and this encouraged David to believe he should have deliverance; and this secured, confirmed, and established it to him; and to which he was the more induced by what experience he had had of the divine goodness to him, as follows: thou hast covered my head in the day of battle ; with the helmet of salvation, as Kimchi, Aben Ezra, and Arama observe;... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 140:8

Grant not, O Lord, the desires of the wicked ,.... Of Doeg, as the Targum, and of other wicked men, who were desirous both of taking him, and of taking away his life: but the desires of such men are under the restraints of the Lord; nor can they fulfil them unless they have leave from him, which is here deprecated. The psalmist entreats he might not be delivered up to their will, or they have their will of him; see Psalm 27:12 . Jarchi interprets it of Esau, as in Psalm 140:1 ; and it is... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 140:9

As for the head of those that compass me about, let the , mischief of their own lips cover them. Meaning either their natural head, put for their whole persons; and the sense is, let the mischief they have contrived for others fall upon themselves; see Ezekiel 9:10 , Psalm 7:16 ; or some principal person, the head and leader of them, as the word is sometimes used, Isaiah 9:14 ; and designs either Saul, who at the head of three thousand men surrounded the hill where David and his... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 140:7

Thou hast covered my head - Not only when I fought with the proud blaspheming Philistine; but in the various attempts made against my life by my sworn enemies. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 140:8

Further not his wicked device - He knew his enemies still desired his death, and were plotting to accomplish it; and here he prays that God may disappoint and confound them. The Chaldee understands this of Doeg. read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 140:8

Verse 8 8.Grant not, O Jehovah! the desires of the wicked (228) We might render the words Establish not, though the meaning would be the same — that God would restrain the desires of the wicked, and frustrate all their aims and attempts. We see from this that it is in his power, whenever he sees proper, to frustrate the unprincipled designs of men, and their wicked expectations, and to dash their schemes. When, therefore, it is found impracticable to bring our enemies to a right state of mind,... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 140:9

Verse 9 9.As for the head, etc. There may be a doubt whether, under the term head, he refers to the chief of the faction opposed to him; for we call suppose an inversion in the sentence, and a change of the plural to the singular number, bringing out this sense. (229) “Let the mischief of their wicked speeches, which they intended against me, fall upon their own head.” (230) As almost all interpreters, however, have taken the other view, I have adopted it, only understanding the reference as... read more

Group of Brands