Psalms 140 - Introduction

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 - Maschilof David," a designation which occurs nowhere else in these books. Psalms 142 is the only Psalm in these books which has a title indicating the occasion to which it is supposed to refer. Psalms 140 is inscribed For the Precentor, which is only found twice again in these books. Selahoccurs three times in 140 and once in 143, but nowhere else in these books. These external characteristics suggest that these Psalms may have been derived from some source in which such terms and notes were common, as they are in the earlier books.

(2) They are marked by a general similarity of thought and language. Compare especially Psalms 141:1; Psalms 142:1; Psalms 143:1; Psalms 140:6; Psalms 142:3; Psalms 143:4; Psalms 142:7; Psalms 143:11; Psalms 140:5; Psalms 141:9; Psalms 142:3; Psalms 140:9; Psalms 141:10.

(3) They appear to reflect the same or similar circumstances. In 140 we see the Psalmist exposed to the plots of merciless and unscrupulous enemies, who are endeavouring to ruin him by calumny and slander; in 141 we watch him struggling against the temptation to sacrifice principle and cast in his lot with the godless party; in 142 his utter solitude and helplessness are pathetically described; in 143 his situation has become even more desperate: all will soon be over if he is not speedily rescued from the hands of his persecutors.

It is then not improbable that they were composed by the same author. This author however can hardly have been David. While it would be rash to affirm that all the Psalms of David must have been included in earlier collections incorporated in the Psalter, these Psalms lack the marks of originality. They are full of reminiscences of earlier Psalms, some of which, e.g. Psalms 77, are of comparatively late date, and probably they shew traces of familiarity with Job and Proverbs. They may have the name of David prefixed to them because they were taken from a collection bearing the name of David, or because they were recognised as imitations of Psalms believed to be his. Delitzsch supposes that they were "dramatic lyrics," written to illustrate episodes in the life of David, and originally stood in some historical work, from which they were transferred to the Psalter. But dependent as they are upon earlier Psalms for their language, they have a vigour and pathos of their own which points to their having sprung from the actual experience of the author.

Who he was or in what period he lived cannot be determined. The times of Manasseh's persecution; the Exile; the post-exilic period, have been suggested; and on the whole it seems most probable that the Psalms reflect the persecution of earnestly-minded religious men by a worldly and unscrupulous party at some time in the unsettled circumstances of this later period.

Some critics suppose that the speaker in these Psalms is not an individual, but the nation; but though some phrases favour this view, the poet's utterances seem to be inspired by the reality of personal experience, and the ascription of the Psalms to David shews that at the time of their incorporation in the Psalter they were regarded as personal.

The structure of Psalms 140 is regular. It consists of four stanzas of six lines each, the second containing two verses, the others three; and a concluding stanza of four lines.

i. The Psalmist prays to be preserved from the plots of arrogant and unscrupulous enemies, who are endeavouring to ruin him by virulent calumny and treacherous plots (Psalms 140:1-3).

ii. He repeats his prayer, with further description of the treacherous character of his enemies" schemes under the usual figure of snares and traps (Psalms 140:4-5).

iii. Further prayer that these plots may fail (Psalms 140:6-8),

iv. and that retribution may overtake their authors (Psalms 140:9-11).

v. Concluding expression of confidence in Jehovah's guardianship of the righteous (Psalms 140:12-13).

Compare generally Psalms 7, 58, 64.