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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 140:4

Keep me, O Lord, from the hands of the wicked ,.... From falling into their hands, and the weight of them); and from their laying hands on him, being men of power and authority; preserve me from the violent man : or men, everyone of them; See Gill on Psalm 140:1 ; who have purposed to overthrow my goings : to supplant him; to cause him to stumble and fall, to his disgrace and reproach; and that they might take an advantage of him, and an occasion against him. Arama interprets it,... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 140:4

Preserve me from the violent man - Saul again; who was as headstrong and violent in all his measures, as he was cruel, and inflexibly bent on the destruction of David. read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 140:4

Verse 4 4.Keep me, O Jehovah! To complaints and accusations he now again adds prayer, from which it appears more clearly, as I observed already, that it is God whom he seeks to be his avenger. It is the same sentiment repeated, with one or two words changed; for he had said deliver me, now he says keep me, and for the wicked man he substitutes the hand of the wicked. He had spoken of their conceiving mischief’s, now of their plotting how they might ruin a poor unsuspecting individual. What he... read more

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 140:4

Keep me, O Lord, from the hands of the wicked; preserve me from the violent man . A repetition of Psalms 140:1 in a modified form. The fact of iteration indicates the extremity of the psalmist's need. Who have purposed to overthrow my goings ; i . e . to bring me to destruction (comp. Psalms 17:5 ). read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 140:4

Keep me, O Lord, from the hands of the wicked ... - See the notes at Psalms 71:4. This is a repetition of the prayer in Psalms 140:1.Who have purposed to overthrow my goings - To thrust me down as I go; to defeat my plans; to destroy me. They endeavor to prevent my accomplishing what I had designed to do. 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

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