Psalms 140 - Clarke's commentary and critical notes on the Bible

To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. Deliver me, O LORD, from the evil man: preserve me from the violent man; From the evil man - Saul, who was full of envy, jealousy, and cruelty against David, to whom both himself and his kingdom were under the highest obligations, endeavored by every means to destroy him.

Which imagine mischiefs in their heart; continually are they gathered together for war. They gathered together - He and his courtiers form plots and cabals against my life.

They have sharpened their tongues like a serpent; adders' poison is under their lips. Selah. They have sharpened their tongues - They employ their time in forging lies and calumnies against me; and those of the most virulent nature.

Keep me, O LORD, from the hands of the wicked; preserve me from the violent man; who have purposed to overthrow my goings. Preserve me from the violent man - Saul again; who was as headstrong and violent in all his measures, as he was cruel, and inflexibly bent on the destruction of David.

The proud have hid a snare for me, and cords; they have spread a net by the wayside; they have set gins for me. Selah. Have hid a snare for me - They hunted David as they would a dangerous wild beast: one while striving to pierce him with the spear; another to entangle him in their snares, so as to take and sacrifice him before the people, on pretense of his being an enemy to the state.

Selah - This is the truth.

I said unto the LORD, Thou art my God: hear the voice of my supplications, O LORD.

O GOD the Lord, the strength of my salvation, thou hast covered my head in the day of battle. Thou hast covered my head - Not only when I fought with the proud blaspheming Philistine; but in the various attempts made against my life by my sworn enemies.

Grant not, O LORD, the desires of the wicked: further not his wicked device; lest they exalt themselves. Selah. Further not his wicked device - He knew his enemies still desired his death, and were plotting to accomplish it; and here he prays that God may disappoint and confound them. The Chaldee understands this of Doeg.

As for the head of those that compass me about, let the mischief of their own lips cover them.

Let burning coals fall upon them: let them be cast into the fire; into deep pits, that they rise not up again. Let burning coals - The Chaldee considers this as spoken against Ahithophel, who was head of a conspiracy against David; and translates this verse thus: "Let coals from heaven fall upon them, precipitate them into the fire of hell, and into miry pits, from which they shall not have a resurrection to eternal life." This is a proof that the Jews did believe in a resurrection of the body, and an eternal life for that body, in the case of the righteous.

Let not an evil speaker be established in the earth: evil shall hunt the violent man to overthrow him. Let not an evil speaker be established - איש לשון ish lashon, "a man of tongue." There is much force in the rendering of this clause in the Chaldee גבר דמשתעי לישן תליתי gebar demishtai lishan telithai, "The man of detraction, or inflammation, with the three-forked tongue." He whose tongue is set on fire from hell; the tale-bearer, slanderer, and dealer in scandal: with the three-forked tongue; wounding three at once: his neiphbour whom he slanders; the person who receives the slander; and himself who deals in it. What a just description of a character which God, angels, and good men must detest! Let not such a one be established in the land; let him be unmasked; let no person trust him; and let all join together to hoot him out of society. "He shall be hunted by the angel of death, and thrust into hell." - Chaldee.

I know that the LORD will maintain the cause of the afflicted, and the right of the poor. The cause of the afflicted - Every person who is persecuted for righteousness' sake has God for his peculiar help and refuge; and the persecutor has the same God for his especial enemy.

Surely the righteous shall give thanks unto thy name: the upright shall dwell in thy presence. The righteous shall give thanks - For thou wilt support and deliver him.

The upright shall dwell in thy presence - Shall be admitted to the most intimate intercourse with God.

The persecuted have ever been dear to God Almighty; and the martyrs were, in an especial manner, his delight; and in proportion as he loved those, so must he hate and detest these.

Commentary on the Bible, by Adam Clarke [1831].