CXL. The date of its composition is in no way indicated in this psalm. Its resemblance to Psalms 58, 64 hardly needs to be pointed out. “The close of all three psalms sounds much alike; they agree in the use of rare forms of expression, and their language becomes fearfully obscure in style and sound... [ Continue Reading ]
EVIL MAN. — The singular of the object in this verse must not lead us to think the psalm is an expression of personal feeling against one enemy, for it is immediately changed to the plural. VIOLENT MAN. — See Margin.... [ Continue Reading ]
IMAGINE... — Or, _contrive, plot._ GATHERED TOGETHER. — This translation follows the analogy of Psalms 56:6. Others render, “dwell with wars.” But it is preferable to derive from a root meaning _to incite:_ “They are continually stirring up wars.” It is the situation described in Psalms 120:7 and f... [ Continue Reading ]
Comp. Psalms 64:3; Psalms 58:4; Psalms 52:2; Psalms 10:7. ADDERS. — The Hebrew word is peculiar to this place, and is explained by Gesenius to be a compound of two words, to represent “that which rolls itself up and lies in ambush.” “Besides the cobra and the cerastes, several other species of venom... [ Continue Reading ]
OVERTHROW MY GOINGS. — Literally, _thrust aside my steps._ The verse is a repetition, with variation, of Psalms 140:1.... [ Continue Reading ]
NET. — An elaboration of the favourite image of the net. (Psalms 9:15.) The frequent occurrence of this figure well indicates the dangers to which Israel was subjected through the leaning of many of the nation itself to foreign influences.... [ Continue Reading ]
IN THE DAY OF BATTLE. — Literally, _in the day of arms, i.e.,_ when he was arming for fight. God covered the warrior’s head, _i.e.,_ provided the “helmet of salvation” (Isaiah 59:17). (Comp. also Psalms 60:9 : “Strength of my head.”) Others, however, follow the LXX. and Authorised Version in underst... [ Continue Reading ]
DESIRES. — The form of the Hebrew word is anomalous, but the meaning certain. The LXX. and Vulg. give the first clause thus: “Give me not over to the enemy, by reason of their own desire;” which may possibly have been in St. Paul’s mind in Romans 1:24. FURTHER NOT. — The text of this clause has und... [ Continue Reading ]
HEAD. — Ewald, who keeps to the text, takes _rôsh_ in the sense of poison (see Psalms 69:22, Note): — “The poison of those encircling me, Let them be covered with the perdition of their lips. This brings Psalms 140:8 into harmony with Psalms 140:4. But the emendation given above is better.... [ Continue Reading ]
In this verse too there is a grammatical difficulty, which the margin, “Let there fall on them,” instead of “Let them bring upon them,” does not remove, since the subject of the next verb is third person _singular._ The first verb is usually taken impersonally, as by the LXX., which version is actua... [ Continue Reading ]
AN EVIL SPEAKER. — Literally, as in LXX. and Vulg., _a man of tongue;_ (Comp. Sir. 8:3; Job 11:2.) margin,” man of lips.” It is hardly possible to resist the suggestion that some particular person, noted for the loudness or violence of his speech, was intended. Evil shall hunt... — Comp. Proverbs 1... [ Continue Reading ]
Comp. Psalms 9:4; Psalms 9:16.... [ Continue Reading ]
SURELY. — Or, perhaps here, _only,_ the primary meaning of the particle. DWELL. — For the thought comp. Psalms 11:7; Psalms 16:11. After the peril and seeming abandonment God again proves the covenant promise true, and those whom the heathen would have chased from the land find in it a sure dwellin... [ Continue Reading ]