Psalms 140:1-13
1 Deliver me, O LORD, from the evil man: preserve me from the violenta man;
2 Which imagine mischiefs in their heart; continually are they gathered together for war.
3 They have sharpened their tongues like a serpent; adders' poison is under their lips. Selah.
4 Keep me, O LORD, from the hands of the wicked; preserve me from the violent man; who have purposed to overthrow my goings.
5 The proud have hid a snare for me, and cords; they have spread a net by the wayside; they have set gins for me. Selah.
6 I said unto the LORD, Thou art my God: hear the voice of my supplications, O LORD.
7 O GOD the Lord, the strength of my salvation, thou hast covered my head in the day of battle.
8 Grant not, O LORD, the desires of the wicked: further not his wicked device; lest they exalt themselves. Selah.
9 As for the head of those that compass me about, let the mischief of their own lips cover them.
10 Let burning coals fall upon them: let them be cast into the fire; into deep pits, that they rise not up again.
11 Let not an evil speaker be established in the earth: evil shall hunt the violent man to overthrow him.
12 I know that the LORD will maintain the cause of the afflicted, and the right of the poor.
13 Surely the righteous shall give thanks unto thy name: the upright shall dwell in thy presence.
The previous five psalms have dealt with the absolute sufficiency of Jehovah. Their titles will indicate this, “Jehovah the Object of His people's praise, Jehovah the God of mercy, Jehovah the God of Judgement, Jehovah the Perfecter, Jehovah Omniscient and Omnipresent.”
In the four which follow a different note is struck. They reveal the need of man, and his utter helplessness. Yet they stand over against the former five. The appeal of all of them is made out of dire necessity to absolute sufficiency. They lead up to another which thrills with thanksgiving as it expresses the consciousness of how perfectly the resources of Jehovah meet the need of man.
The present psalm deals with the subject of foes without. The singer is conscious that he is surrounded by enemies. The first movement (vv. Psa 140:1-5) describes the malice of the enemies, and ends with prayer for preservation. The second (vv. Psa 140:6-10) commences with earnest prayer, the confidence of which is based upon past experiences of deliverance; and it ends with a definite request for the discomfiture of his foes. The final movement (vv. Psa 140:11-13) is an affirmation of faith. The singer is confident that in the government of Jehovah evil men cannot continue. The afflicted will be delivered, and the righteous and upright will be perfectly vindicated.