1401 Rescue me, O Lord , from evil men ; Preserve me from violent men 2 Who devise evil things in their hearts ; They continually e stir up wars . 3 They sharpen their tongues as a serpent ; Poison of a viper is under their lips . Selah . 4 Keep me, O Lord , from the hands of the wicked ; Preserve me from violent men Who have purposed to trip up my feet . 5 The proud have hidden a trap for me, and cords ; They have spread a net by the wayside ; They have set snares for me. Selah . 6 I said to the Lord , "You are my God ; Give ear , O Lord , to the voice of my supplications . 7 "O GOD the Lord , the strength of my salvation , You have covered my head in the day of battle .
8 "Do not grant , O Lord , the desires of the wicked ; Do not promote his evil device , that they not be exalted . Selah . 9 "As for the head of those who surround me, May the mischief of their lips cover them. 10 "May burning coals fall upon them; May they be cast into the fire , Into deep pits from which they cannot rise . 11 "May a slanderer e not be established in the earth ; May evil hunt the violent man speedily ." 12 I know that the Lord will maintain the cause of the afflicted And justice for the poor . 13 Surely the righteous will give thanks to Your name ; The upright will dwell in Your 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.