Albert Barnes Commentary Psalms 140

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.

Which imagine mischiefs in their heart - Here the language is changed to the plural number in the Hebrew, implying that while there was one man who was eminent in his wickedness and his wrongdoing, there were many others associated with him, acting under his direction. The word “mischiefs” in the Hebrew means “evils; wickednesses.” It was not a single purpose; the plan embraced many forms of evil—doing him wrong in every way possible.

Continually are they gathered together for war - They are organized for this purpose; they are constantly prepared for it. The word rendered “gathered together” properly means to sojourn, to dwell for a time; and it has been proposed by some to render this, “All the day they dwell with wars;” that is, they are constantly involved in them. But the word may mean also “to gather together,” as in (Psalms 56:6).

They have sharpened their tongues like a serpent - Compare the notes at (Psalms 64:3). The idea here is that, since the serpent's tongue seems to be sharp, pointed, and adapted to penetrate (and the original reference in the image was probably derived from that idea), the wound is inflicted by the serpent’s tongue—as if with a hard, penetrating point. It is now known, however, that it is by a tooth—a single tooth, made flexible for the purpose—at the root of which a small bag containing the poison is located, which is injected through an orifice in the tooth into the wound. The meaning here is that the words spoken by such persons—by their tongues—were like the poison produced by the bite of a serpent.

Adders’ poison is under their lips - The asp or adder is among the most poisonous of serpents. Thus, Cleopatra of Egypt is said to have destroyed her own life by an asp, which she had concealed for that purpose. This passage is quoted in (Romans 3:13), as a proof of human depravity. See the notes at that verse.

Keep me, O Lord, from the hands of the wicked ... - See the notes at Psalms 71:4. This is a repetition of the prayer in Psalms 140:1.

Who have purposed to overthrow my goings - To thrust me down as I go; to defeat my plans; to destroy me. They endeavor to prevent my accomplishing what I had designed to do.

The proud have hid a snare for me - Haughty, arrogant, oppressive men. See Psalms 35:7, note; Psalms 57:6, note.

And cords - Strings, twine; like those who lay a net to catch birds and who intend to spring it upon them unawares.

They have spread a net by the wayside - Where I may be expected to walk, and where it may be suddenly sprung upon me.

They have set gins for me - Snares, toils—such as are set for wild beasts. The meaning is that they had not only made open war upon him, but they had also sought to lead him into an ambush—to rush upon him suddenly when he was not on his guard and did not know that danger was near.