Psalms 140

Psalms 140:1

FRom the violent man] Which persecuteth me of meer malice, and without cause.

violent man] Heb. man of violences: that is, most violent.

Psalms 140:2

Which imagine mischiefs in their heart] They studie how to bring the greatest mischief on me; that is, to kill me.

war] Heb. wars: that is, frequent ones.

Psalms 140:3

adders poison is under their lips] Psalms 58:4. Romans 3:13. He sheweth how craftily wicked men proceed by calumnies, when they want power to do hurt.

Psalms 140:4

Keep me, O Lord, from the hands of the wicked] God is the refuge of the godly, when they are opposed by worldlings.

from the violent man] See Notes on v. 1.

Psalms 140:5

snare for me] Psalms 35:7. and Psalms 57:6. and Psalms 141:9.

Psalms 140:7

thou hast covered my head in the day of battel] He calleth to God with lively faith, being assured of his mercies, because he had before-time proved, that God helped him ever in his dangers, covering his head as with helmet or shield, psal. 91. 4.

Psalms 140:8

further not his wicked device] For wicked men cannot accomplish their plots, unlesse God give them strength.

lest they exalt themselves] Or, let them not be exalted.

Psalms 140:9

As for the head of those that compasse me about] Psalms 17:16. Proverbs 12:13. and Proverbs 18:7. He desireth that God would make their own words their bane, psal. 64. 8. or, let them perish by those courses that themselves plot and combine in: or, let their own imprecations fall on them, psal. 109. 17.

Psalms 140:10

let them be cast into the fire] Heb. let him cast: to wit, God: and let all manner of mischief befall them, and so overwhelm them, that they may never recover again.

Psalms 140:11

an evil speaker] Heb. a man of tongue. an evil speaker be established in the earth: evil shall hunt the violent man to overthrow him] Or, Or, an evil speaker, a wicked man of violence be established in the earth: let him be hunted to his overthrow.

evil shall hunt the violent man to overthrew him] Gods plagues shall so from place to place pursue him, as he shall have no way to escape, Jeremiah 16:16.

overthrow] Heb. to destructions: that is, to certain destruction.

Psalms 140:13

the upright shall dwell in thy presence] That is, shall be defended and preserved by thy fatherly providence and care, as one of thy family.