Psalms 140
Psalms 140 is part of “Book V: The Deuteronomy Book” (107–150) in the outline of Psalms.
Psalms 140 summary
This and the four following psalms are much of a piece, and the scope of them the same with many that we met with in the beginning and middle of the book of Psalms, though with but few of late. They were penned by David (as it should seem) when he was persecuted by Saul; one of them is said to be his "prayer when he was in the cave," and it is probable that all the rest were penned about the same time. In this psalm, I. David complains of the malice of his enemies, and prays to God to preserve him from them (Psa 140:1-5).
Read the full introduction
This and the four following psalms are much of a piece, and the scope of them the same with many that we met with in the beginning and middle of the book of Psalms, though with but few of late. They were penned by David (as it should seem) when he was persecuted by Saul; one of them is said to be his "prayer when he was in the cave," and it is probable that all the rest were penned about the same time. In this psalm, I. David complains of the malice of his enemies, and prays to God to preserve him from them (Psa 140:1-5). II. He encourages himself in God as his God (Psa 140:6, Psa 140:7). III. He prays for, and prophesies, the destruction of his persecutors (Psa 140:8-11). IV. He assures all God's afflicted people that their troubles would in due time end well (Psa 140:12, Psa 140:13), with which assurance we must comfort ourselves, and one another, in singing this psalm. To the chief musician. A psalm of David.
Source: Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible (1706–21; Romans–Revelation completed by Nonconformist ministers). Public domain. Digital text: Free Use Bible API (bible.helloao.org).
Psalms 140 (GNV)
Geneva Bible 1599 (public domain)
Deliver Me, O Lord, from Evil Men
1To him that excelleth. A Psalme of David. Deliuer me, O Lord, from the euill man: preserue me from the cruel man: 2Which imagine euill things in their heart, and make warre continually. 3They haue sharpened their tongues like a serpent: adders poyson is vnder their lips. Selah. 4Keepe mee, O Lord, from the handes of the wicked: preserue mee from the cruell man, which purposeth to cause my steppes to slide. 5The proude haue layde a snare for me, and spred a nette with cordes in my pathway, and set grennes for me. Selah. 6Therefore I saide vnto the Lord, Thou art my God: heare, O Lord, the voyce of my prayers. 7O Lord God the strength of my saluation, thou hast couered mine head in the day of battel. 8Let not the wicked haue his desire, O Lord: performe not his wicked thought, least they be proude. Selah. 9As for the chiefe of them, that compasse me about, let the mischiefe of their owne lippes come vpon them. 10Let coles fal vpon them: let him cast them into the fire, and into the deepe pits, that they rise not. 11For the backbiter shall not be established vpon the earth: euill shall hunt the cruell man to destruction. 12I know that the Lord will auenge the afflicted, and iudge the poore. 13Surely the righteous shall prayse thy Name, and the iust shall dwell in thy presence.