Bible Commentaries
Psalms 140

Verses 1-13

The previous five psalms have dealt with the absolute sufficiency of Jehovah. Their titles will indicate this, “Jehovah the Object of His people’s praise, Jehovah the God of mercy, Jehovah the God of Judgement, Jehovah the Perfecter, Jehovah Omniscient and Omnipresent.”

In the four which follow a different note is struck. They reveal the need of man, and his utter helplessness. Yet they stand over against the former five. The appeal of all of them is made out of dire necessity to absolute sufficiency. They lead up to another which thrills with thanksgiving as it expresses the consciousness of how perfectly the resources of Jehovah meet the need of man.

The present psalm deals with the subject of foes without. The singer is conscious that he is surrounded by enemies. The first movement (vv. Psa 140:1-5 ) describes the malice of the enemies, and ends with prayer for preservation. The second (vv. Psa 140:6-10 ) commences with earnest prayer, the confidence of which is based upon past experiences of deliverance; and it ends with a definite request for the discomfiture of his foes. The final movement (vv. Psa 140:11-13 ) is an affirmation of faith. The singer is confident that in the government of Jehovah evil men cannot continue. The afflicted will be delivered, and the righteous and upright will be perfectly vindicated.