BSB
Psalms 140
1For the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. Rescue me, O LORD, from evil men. Protect me from men of violence,
2who devise evil in their hearts and stir up war all day long.
3They sharpen their tongues like snakes; the venom of vipers is on their lips. Selah
4Guard me, O LORD, from the hands of the wicked. Keep me safe from men of violence who scheme to make me stumble.
5The proud hide a snare for me; the cords of their net are spread along the path, and lures are set out for me. Selah
6I say to the LORD, “You are my God.” Hear, O LORD, my cry for help.
7O GOD the Lord, the strength of my salvation, You shield my head in the day of battle.
8Grant not, O LORD, the desires of the wicked; do not promote their evil plans, lest they be exalted. Selah
9May the heads of those who surround me be covered in the trouble their lips have caused.
10May burning coals fall on them; may they be thrown into the fire, into the miry pits, never to rise again.
11May no slanderer be established in the land; may calamity hunt down the man of violence.
12I know that the LORD upholds justice for the poor and defends the cause of the needy.
13Surely the righteous will praise Your name; the upright will dwell in Your presence.
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Adder Asp: (Venom of), of the Speech of the Wicked Psalm 140:3
They sharpen their tongues like snakes; the venom of vipers is on their lips. Selah
Adder: A Venomous Serpent Psalm 140:3
They sharpen their tongues like snakes; the venom of vipers is on their lips. Selah
Afflictions and Adversities: Consolation In Psalm 140:12
I know that the LORD upholds justice for the poor and defends the cause of the needy.
Afflictions and Adversities: Prayer In Psalm 140:1–13
For the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. Rescue me, O LORD, from evil men. Protect me from men of violence, / who devise evil in their hearts and stir up war all day long. / They sharpen their tongues like snakes; the venom of vipers is on their lips. Selah
Asp: Venom of, Illustrates the Speech of the Wicked Psalm 140:3
They sharpen their tongues like snakes; the venom of vipers is on their lips. Selah
Bad People Psalm 140:2
who devise evil in their hearts and stir up war all day long.
Character of the Unrenewed Heart: Mischievous Psalm 140:2
who devise evil in their hearts and stir up war all day long.
David: King of Israel Psalm 140:1
For the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. Rescue me, O LORD, from evil men. Protect me from men of violence,
Evil Women Psalm 140:2
who devise evil in their hearts and stir up war all day long.
Faith: Exemplified Psalm 140:6, 7, 12
I say to the LORD, “You are my God.” Hear, O LORD, my cry for help. / O GOD the Lord, the strength of my salvation, You shield my head in the day of battle. / I know that the LORD upholds justice for the poor and defends the cause of the needy.
Head: (Covered) of Defence and Protection Psalm 140:7
O GOD the Lord, the strength of my salvation, You shield my head in the day of battle.
Heart: The Unregenerate is Malicious Psalm 140:2
who devise evil in their hearts and stir up war all day long.
Homelessness Psalm 140:12
I know that the LORD upholds justice for the poor and defends the cause of the needy.
Hunting: Fowling Psalm 140:5
The proud hide a snare for me; the cords of their net are spread along the path, and lures are set out for me. Selah
Malice: General Scriptures Concerning Psalm 140:1–4
For the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. Rescue me, O LORD, from evil men. Protect me from men of violence, / who devise evil in their hearts and stir up war all day long. / They sharpen their tongues like snakes; the venom of vipers is on their lips. Selah
Net: Figurative Psalm 140:5
The proud hide a snare for me; the cords of their net are spread along the path, and lures are set out for me. Selah
Poor: God's Care of Psalm 140:12
I know that the LORD upholds justice for the poor and defends the cause of the needy.
Praise: Unclassified Scriptures Relating To Psalm 140:13
Surely the righteous will praise Your name; the upright will dwell in Your presence.
Prayer: Imprecatory Psalm 140:9, 10
May the heads of those who surround me be covered in the trouble their lips have caused. / May burning coals fall on them; may they be thrown into the fire, into the miry pits, never to rise again.
Psalms: Afflictions Psalm 140:1
For the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. Rescue me, O LORD, from evil men. Protect me from men of violence,
Rope of Temptations Psalm 140:5
The proud hide a snare for me; the cords of their net are spread along the path, and lures are set out for me. Selah
Serpent: Venom of Psalm 140:3
They sharpen their tongues like snakes; the venom of vipers is on their lips. Selah
Serpents: (Sharp Tongue of) Malice of the Wicked Psalm 140:3
They sharpen their tongues like snakes; the venom of vipers is on their lips. Selah
Shields: A Part of Defensive Armour Psalm 140:7
O GOD the Lord, the strength of my salvation, You shield my head in the day of battle.
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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Commentary
Historical, contextual, and verse-level study notes for deeper biblical exploration.
Psalms 140:1-13 The style of this Psalm resembles those of David in the
former part of the book, presenting the usual complaint, prayer, and confident hope of relief.
Psalms 140:1 Verse 1
evil man--Which of David's enemies is meant is not important. 2-5. This character of the wicked, and the devices planned against the pious, correspond to Ps 10:7; 31:13; 58:4, &c.
Psalms 140:3 Verse 3
sharpened ... like a serpent--not like a serpent does, but they are thus like a serpent in cunning and venom.
Psalms 140:5 Verse 5
snare [and] net--for threatening dangers (compare Ps 38:12; 57:6).
Psalms 140:6 Verse 6
(Compare Ps 5:1-12; 16:2).
Psalms 140:7 Verse 7
day of battle--literally, "of armor," that is, when using it.
Psalms 140:8 Verse 8
(Compare Ps 37:12; 66:7). lest they exalt themselves--or, they will be exalted if permitted to prosper.
Psalms 140:9 Verse 9
Contrasts his head covered by God (Ps 140:7) with theirs, or (as "head" may be used for "persons") with them, covered with the results of their wicked deeds (Ps 7:16).
Psalms 140:10 Verse 10
(Compare Ps 11:6; 120:4). cast into the fire; into deep pits--figures for utter destruction.
Psalms 140:11 Verse 11
an evil speaker--or, "slanderer" will not be tolerated (Ps 101:7). The last clause may be translated: "an evil (man) He (God) shall hunt," &c.
Psalms 140:12 Verse 12
(Compare Ps 9:4).
Psalms 140:13 Verse 13
After all changes, the righteous shall have cause for praise. Such shall dwell--shall sit securely, under God's protection (Ps 21:6; 41:12). PSALM 141
Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
Pastoral and devotional reflections focused on spiritual formation and application.
Psalms 140:1-7 Verses 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.
Psalms 140:8-13 Verses 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.