Charles Ellicott Commentary Psalms 140

Evil man— The singular of the object in this verse must not lead us to think the psalm is an expression of personal feeling against one enemy, for it is immediately changed to the plural.

Violent man— See Margin.

Imagine ...—Or, contrive, plot.

Gathered together.— This translation follows the analogy of Psalms 56:6. Others render it, “dwell with wars.” But it is preferable to derive it from a root meaning to incite: “They are continually stirring up wars.” This is the situation described in Psalms 120:7 and frequently elsewhere: Israel would be at peace, but within and without are those always trying to involve her in troubles.

Compare to Psalms 64:3; Psalms 58:4; Psalms 52:2; Psalms 10:7.

Adders.—The Hebrew word is specific to this place and is explained by Gesenius to be a compound of two words, to represent “that which rolls itself up and lies in ambush.”

“Besides the cobra and the cerastes, several other species of venomous snakes are common in Syria, and we may apply the name, either generically or specifically, to the vipers. Two species, Vipera ammodytes and Vipera euphratica, we found to be very common. The former of these was known to Linnæus as inhabiting Palestine. They are plainly colored serpents, with broad flat heads and suddenly-contracting tails” (Tristram, Nat. Hist. of the Bible, p. 275).

The Septuagint and Vulgate read “asp.” .

Overthrow my goings. Literally, thrust aside my steps. The verse is a repetition, with variation, of Psalms 140:1.

Net.— An elaboration of the favourite image of the net. (Psalms 9:15) The frequent occurrence of this figure well indicates the dangers to which Israel was subjected through the leaning of many of the nation itself to foreign influences.