Psalms 140-143 form a group distinguished by external and internal characteristics. (1) All bear the name of David: three are entitled - _a Psalm_[_Mizmor_ of David," a designation comparatively rare in Books iv and v; and one is entitled - _Maschil_of David," a designation which occurs nowhere els... [ Continue Reading ]
_the evil man … the violent man_ Both words may be collective; _evil men … men of violent deeds_: but the second may single out a particular individual as the leader of the treacherous hostility of which the Psalmist complains. For the phrase _man_or _men of violent deeds_(plur.) cp. Psalms 140:4 an... [ Continue Reading ]
Prayer for deliverance from the machinations of calumnious enemies.... [ Continue Reading ]
Who have devised evils _in_their _heart_ Secretly and deliberately. _continually_&c. Every day do they stir up strife: lit. _wars_. They are perpetually trying to pick a quarrel with me.... [ Continue Reading ]
_They have sharpened their tongues like a serpent_ The lying tongue is elsewhere compared to the sword or arrow which wounds (Psalms 52:2; Psalms 55:21; Psalms 57:4; Psalms 59:7; Psalms 64:3), or the serpent which inflicts a poisonous bite (Psalms 58:3-4); and here the Psalmist combines the metaphor... [ Continue Reading ]
_to overthrow my goings_ To trip me up and overthrow me. Cp. Psalms 118:13. R.V. to thrust aside my steps.... [ Continue Reading ]
Repeated prayer for deliverance from their plots.... [ Continue Reading ]
For the figures cp. Psalms 31:4; Psalms 119:110; Psalms 141:9; Psalms 142:3. The hunter sets his snares in the -run" of the animal he wishes to catch, and the Psalmist's enemies are scheming to ruin him as he goes about his daily duties. Cp. Matthew 22:15, "how they might ensnare (παγιδεύσωσιν, cp.... [ Continue Reading ]
Appeal to Jehovah, the Helper in time of need.... [ Continue Reading ]
_I said_ I have said, or, I say. Cp. Psalms 16:1; Psalms 31:14. In his distress he appeals to Jehovah, pleading the relation which entitles him to expect protection. Cp. Psalms 63:1; Psalms 143:10. _hear_ R.V., Give ear unto.... [ Continue Reading ]
_O God the Lord_ Jehovah, Lord. Cp. Psalms 109:21 (note); Psalms 141:8. _thou hast covered my head_ Protected it as with a helmet. Cp. Psalms 60:7; Isaiah 59:17; Eph 6:17; 1 Thessalonians 5:8. The perfect tense might refer to past experience, but is probably to be taken as a perfect of certainty: _... [ Continue Reading ]
_further not his_evil _device_ Suffer it not to issue in success. lest _they exalt themselves_ The construction is harsh, whether we render thus, or, -for then _will they exalt themselves_," and probably the word belongs to the next verse.... [ Continue Reading ]
A word seems to be wanting at the beginning of the verse, and if the last word of Psalms 140:8, with the change of a single letter (ירימו for ירומו), is prefixed to this verse, it reads, _When those that compass me about lift up the head, let the mischief_&c. Let the mischief they are trying to do m... [ Continue Reading ]
May retribution overtake my enemies!... [ Continue Reading ]
Let the fate of Sodom overtake these defiant offenders! Possibly we should read, comparing Psalms 11:6, _May he rain hot coals upon them! may he cast them into the fire!_ deep pits A word of uncertain meaning, found here only. Some render _whirlpools_: cp. R.V. marg. _floods_. If they try to escape... [ Continue Reading ]
A slanderer shall not be established in the land] Cp. Psalms 101:5. _to overthrow_him] Again the idea is that of the evil which he devises for others relentlessly pursuing him, lit. _with thrust upon thrust_. Cp. Psalms 35:5-6; Proverbs 13:21. The Targ. paraphrases, "misfortune shall hunt the viole... [ Continue Reading ]
Jehovah is the Judge Who rights the weak and oppressed. Cp. Psalms 7:8-9; Psalms 9:4; &c.... [ Continue Reading ]
The destiny of the righteous contrasted with the fate of the wicked.... [ Continue Reading ]
_Surely_ The particle _"ak_expresses the thought, _Nay but after all_; in spite of present trials. _shall dwell in thy presence_ In the land where Jehovah's Presence is especially manifested. Cp. Psalms 102:28. The manifestation of God which is destruction to the wicked (Psalms 9:3) is security and... [ Continue Reading ]