Table of Contents
Psalm 140
Psalm 140
1 Deliver me, O Lord, from the evil man: preserve me from the violent man;
2 Which imagine mischiefs in their heart; continually are they gathered together for war.
3 They have sharpened their tongues like a serpent; adders' poison is under their lips. Selah.
4 Keep me, O Lord, from the hands of the wicked; preserve me from the violent man; who have purposed to overthrow my goings.
5 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.
6 I said unto the Lord, Thou art my God: hear the voice of my supplications, O Lord.
7 O God the Lord, the strength of my salvation, thou hast covered my head in the day of battle.
8 Grant not, O Lord, the desires of the wicked: further not his wicked device; lest they exalt themselves. Selah.
9 As for the head of those that compass me about, let the mischief of their own lips cover them.
10 Let burning coals fall upon them: let them be cast into the fire; into deep pits, that they rise not up again.
11 Let not an evil speaker be established in the earth: evil shall hunt the violent man to overthrow him.
12 I know that the Lord will maintain the cause of the afflicted, and the right of the poor.
13 Surely the righteous shall give thanks unto thy name: the upright shall dwell in thy presence.
Notes
Cross Reference
Concordance
Commentary
Rashi
Verse 3
<html><b>every day they gather to wage war</b> There will be wars in their dwellings and in their settlements.</html>
Verse 4
<html><b>the venom of a spider</b> Heb. חמתעכשוב. חמת is an expression of venom, as (Deut. 32:33): “the venom of (חמת) dragons is their wine,” for if you interpret it as an expression of wrath, does an expression of wrath fit with wine? Rather, it is an expression of venom, venimos in Old French. Similarly, here the term venom relates to “under the lips.” <b>a spider</b> Heb. עכשוב, a spider, araignee in French.</html>
Verse 6
<html><b>and [with] ropes they spread a net</b> It is customary to tie a long rope to the end of a net, and when the hunter sees the birds resting under the net, he draws the rope, and the net falls on the birds. <b>beside [my] path</b> Beside my paths and my steps. <b>beside</b> Heb. ליד, like (II Sam. 14:30): “See, Joab’s field is near mine (ידי).”</html>
Verse 9
<html><b>the desires of the wicked</b> The wicked Esau. <b>for they are constantly haughty</b> Heb. ירומו סלה, because they are arrogant always. Our Rabbis, however (Gen. Rabbah 75:9) explained זממוֹ as an expression of a bit that muzzles the camel, and it is a mishnaic expression. <b>do not take out</b> Heb. אל תפק, Do not take it out of his jaws.</html>
Verse 10
<html><b>The numbers of those who surround me</b> Armies of the number of the troops of Esau who plan to surround me, may the lies of their lips cover them. (I found.)</html>
Verse 11
<html><b>descend</b> May the coals descend on them. Let them lie upon them until they sink and become extinguished by themselves. The body will thus disintegrate and disappear. <b>He will cast them into fire</b> He Who casts and avenges [will cast them] into the fire of Gehinnom. <b>in wars</b> He will cast them so that they will no longer rise. <b>in wars</b> Heb. במהמרות, in wars and strife, an expression of (Deut. 9: 4): “You have been rebellious (ממרים).”</html>
Verse 12
<html><b>A slanderer</b> Esau, who would trap with his mouth. <b>will trap him</b> The evil that he does will trap him.</html>
Verse 13
<html><b>I know</b> that ultimately the Lord will perform the judgment of a poor man, and He will avenge the vengeance of His servants.</html>
Verse 14
<html><b>But</b> May he hasten and do it so that the righteous will thank His name.</html>