1401 To the chief Musician. A Psalm of David. Free me, O Jehovah, from the evil man; preserve me from the violent man: 2 Who devise mischiefs in [their] heart; every day are they banded together for war. 3 They sharpen their tongues like a serpent; adders' poison is under their lips. Selah. 4 Keep me, O Jehovah, from the hands of the wicked [man], preserve me from the violent man, who devise to overthrow my steps. 5 The proud have hidden a snare for me, and cords; they have spread a net by the way-side; they have set traps for me. Selah. 6 I have said unto Jehovah, Thou art my God: give ear, O Jehovah, to the voice of my supplications. 7 Jehovah, the Lord, is the strength of my salvation: thou hast covered my head in the day of battle.
8 Grant not, O Jehovah, the desire of the wicked; further not his device: they would exalt themselves. Selah. 9 [As for] the head of those that encompass me, let the mischief of their own lips cover them. 10 Let burning coals fall on them; let them be cast into the fire; into deep waters, that they rise not up again. 11 Let not the man of [evil] tongue be established in the earth: evil shall hunt the man of violence to [his] ruin. 12 I know that Jehovah will maintain the cause of the afflicted one, the right of the needy. 13 Yea, the righteous shall give thanks unto thy name; the upright shall dwell in thy presence.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Psalm 140:1-20
Commentary on Psalm 140:1-7
(Read Psalm 140:1-7)
The more danger appears, the more earnest we should be in prayer to God. All are safe whom the Lord protects. If he be for us, who can be against us? We should especially watch and pray, that the Lord would hold up our goings in his ways, that our footsteps slip not. God is as able to keep his people from secret fraud as from open force; and the experience we have had of his power and care, in dangers of one kind, may encourage us to depend upon him in other dangers.
Commentary on Psalm 140:8-13
(Read Psalm 140:8-13)
Believers may pray that God would not grant the desires of the wicked, nor further their evil devices. False accusers will bring mischief upon themselves, even the burning coals of Divine vengeance. And surely the righteous shall dwell in God's presence, and give him thanks for evermore. This is true thanksgiving, even thanks-living: this use we should make of all our deliverances, we should serve God the more closely and cheerfully. Those who, though evil spoken of and ill-used by men, are righteous in the sight of God, being justified by the righteousness of Christ, which is imputed to them, and received by faith, as the effect of which, they live soberly and righteously; these give thanks to the Lord, for the righteousness whereby they are made righteous, and for every blessing of grace, and mercy of life.