
Text -- Psalms 140:1 (NET)




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collapse allCommentary -- Word/Phrase Notes (per phrase)
JFB: Psa 140:1 - -- 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....
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. (Psa 140:1-13)

Which of David's enemies is meant is not important.
Clarke -> Psa 140:1
Clarke: Psa 140:1 - -- 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 obl...
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.
Calvin -> Psa 140:1
Calvin: Psa 140:1 - -- To the chief Musician, etc. I cannot bring myself to restrict this Psalm to Doeg, as the great body of interpreters do, for the context will clearly s...
To the chief Musician, etc. I cannot bring myself to restrict this Psalm to Doeg, as the great body of interpreters do, for the context will clearly show that it speaks of Saul, and of the counselors who ceased not to inflame the king — himself sufficiently incensed against the life of one who was a saint of God. Being as he was a figure of Christ, we need not wonder that the agents of the devil directed so much of their rage against him. And this is the reason why he animadverts so sharply upon their rancor and treachery.
The terms wicked and violent men denote their unwarranted attempts at his destruction without provocation given. He therefore commends his cause to God, as having studied peace with them, as never having injured them, but being the innocent object of their unjust persecution. The same rule must be observed by us all, as it is against violence and wickedness that the help of God is extended. David is not Multiplying mere terms of reproach as men do in their personal disputes, but conciliating God’s favor by supplying a proof of his innocence, for he must always be upon the side of good and peaceable men.
TSK -> Psa 140:1
TSK: Psa 140:1 - -- am 2942, bc 1062
Deliver : Psa 43:1, Psa 59:1-3, Psa 71:4
violent man : Heb. man of violences, Psa 140:4, Psa 140:11, Psa 18:48 *marg. Hab 1:2, Hab 1:...
am 2942, bc 1062
Deliver : Psa 43:1, Psa 59:1-3, Psa 71:4
violent man : Heb. man of violences, Psa 140:4, Psa 140:11, Psa 18:48 *marg. Hab 1:2, Hab 1:3

collapse allCommentary -- Word/Phrase Notes (per Verse)
Barnes -> Psa 140:1
Barnes: Psa 140:1 - -- Deliver me, O Lord, from the evil man - That is, evidently from some particular man who was endeavoring to injure him; some personal enemy. All...
Deliver me, O Lord, from the evil man - That is, evidently from some particular man who was endeavoring to injure him; some personal enemy. All the circumstances mentioned agree well with the supposition that Saul is intended.
Preserve me from the violent man - Margin, as in Hebrew, "man of violences."That is, one who has committed violence so often, who has so frequently done wrong, that this may be considered a characteristic of the man. This would apply well to the repeated acts of Saul in persecuting David, and endeavoring to do him injury.
A prayer against sinful words, and deceitful flatterers.

Haydock: Psa 140:1 - -- David. When persecuted by Saul. (Calmet) ---
It is very difficult, and was used in the evening service in the oriental churches, (St. Chrysostom) ...
David. When persecuted by Saul. (Calmet) ---
It is very difficult, and was used in the evening service in the oriental churches, (St. Chrysostom) as it is on Friday in the Roman Breviary. The psalm may be applicable to all in distress, (Berthier) who are members of Christ. (St. Augustine) ---
Hearken. Hebrew, "hasten to me, hear my voice," &c. (Haydock) ---
god approves such cries. (Calmet)
Gill -> Psa 140:1
Gill: Psa 140:1 - -- Deliver me, O Lord, from the evil man,.... Either Saul; so Theodoret; or rather Doeg, according to R. Obadiah: but Jarchi interprets it of Esau; by wh...
Deliver me, O Lord, from the evil man,.... Either Saul; so Theodoret; or rather Doeg, according to R. Obadiah: but Jarchi interprets it of Esau; by whom he means Edom, or Rome, or rather the Christians in general. Were his sense confined to the Papists, he might be thought to be much in the right; for this is applicable enough to the man of sin, and his followers: for it may be understood collectively of a body of evil men; all men are evil by nature, their hearts, thoughts, words, works, and ways. David's enemies were evil men; and so were Christ's; as Herod, Judas in particular, and the Jews in general: and such are the enemies of God's people; the world, profane sinners, persecutors, and false teachers; and to be delivered from such is desirable, and to be prayed for, and an happiness when enjoyed; see 2Th 3:2;
preserve me from the violent man: or, "the man of violences" h; of a violent spirit, that breathes out slaughter and death; of a fierce countenance, of blustering words, and furious actions. Such a man was Doeg; who loved evil, and all devouring words, devised mischief, and boasted in it, Psa 52:1; and Herod, who in his wrath, being disappointed, ordered sit the infants in and about Bethlehem to be slain; and the Jews, who were violently set on the death of Christ, and vehemently desired it: and such are all violent persecutors of the church of God, who clothe themselves with the garment of violence, and drink the wine of it; and to be preserved from such is a great mercy.

expand allCommentary -- Verse Notes / Footnotes
NET Notes: Psa 140:1 Heb “a man of violent acts.” The Hebrew uses the singular in a representative or collective sense (note the plural verbs in v. 2).
Geneva Bible -> Psa 140:1
Geneva Bible: Psa 140:1 "To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David." Deliver me, O LORD, from the evil man: preserve me from the ( a ) violent man;
( a ) Who persecutes me out...

expand allCommentary -- Verse Range Notes
TSK Synopsis -> Psa 140:1-13
TSK Synopsis: Psa 140:1-13 - --1 David prays to be delivered from Saul and Doeg.8 He prays against them.12 He comforts himself by confidence in God.
MHCC -> Psa 140:1-7
MHCC: Psa 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? ...
Matthew Henry -> Psa 140:1-7
Matthew Henry: Psa 140:1-7 - -- In this, as in other things, David was a type of Christ, that he suffered before he reigned, was humbled before he was exalted, and that as there ...
Keil-Delitzsch -> Psa 140:1-3
Keil-Delitzsch: Psa 140:1-3 - --
The assimilation of the Nun of the verb נצר is given up, as in Psa 61:8; Psa 78:7, and frequently, in order to make the form more full-toned. T...
Constable: Psa 107:1--150:6 - --V. Book 5: chs. 107--150
There are 44 psalms in this section of the Psalter. David composed 15 of these (108-110...

Constable: Psa 140:1-13 - --Psalm 140
David prayed for God to frustrate his enemies' attempts to trip him up with confidence that Go...
