The Book of Psalms Paraphrased, Book 5 · Psalm 140
PSALM CXL.
To the chief Muſician. A Pſalm of David.
ARGUMENT.
There is no doubt (for the Title aſcribes it to him) but this Pſalm was made by David And it is little leſs undoubted that he compoſed it (as Theodoret well judges) when he was perſecuted by Saul: who was inſtigated thereunto by the calumnies of Doeg, and the information of the Ziphites: whoſe falſeneſs, and peſtilent malice he here deſcribes; beſeeching God to preſerve him from the miſchief they intended him, and to turn it upon themſelves: as he reſts aſſured He would. When he came to his Kingdom, and had ſettled the ſervice of God in that manner, which we reade 1 Chron. XVI, XXIII, &c. he delivered it to the Maſter of the Muſick; to be ſung at certain times in the Tabernacle. But it was not found, I ſuppoſe (no more then the two foregoing, and the four following) till ſome time after the other Books of Pſalms were publiſhed; and ſo were placed here all together, by him that collected this Book.
1. DEliver me, O LORD, from the evil man: preſerve me from the violent man.
1. DEfeat, O Lord, the wicked deſigns of that naughty man, (1 Sam. XXII. 9, &c.) who makes no conſcience of what he ſaith or doeth, to compaſs his ends: and let me not fall into the hands of that injurious Prince, (XXIII. 7.) whom I have never wronged; but done him faithfull ſervice.
2. Which imagine miſchiefs in their hearts; continually are they gathered together for war.
2. They are zealouſly bent to doe me all the miſchief they are able: which they ſtudiouſly plot, and doe nothing all the day but contrive how to oppreſs me with armed force; which in ſeveral places they have laid to intercept me.
3. They have ſharpened their tongues like a ſerpent; adders poiſon is under their lips. Selah.
3. And they have ſo traduced me by their calumnies, and falſe accuſations, that they have already given my reputation a deadly wound: for the tongue of the Serpent, or the teeth of the Adder or Viper, doth not more effectually convey their poiſon into mens bodies; then they have infuſed theſe venomous ſlanders into the peoples minds.
4. Keep me, O LORD, from the hands of the wicked, preſerve me from the violent man, who have purpoſed to overthrow my goings.
4. And therefore I moſt humbly again beſeech Thee, O Lord, to keep me from falling into the power of that naughty man, (Ver. 1.) who inſtigates his Prince to the moſt injurious proceedings againſt me: Be Thou my preſerver, O Lord; for otherwiſe I ſhall never eſcape the trains they have deviſed and laid, to ſupplant and utterly undoe me.
5. The proud have hid a ſnare for me, and cords, they have ſpread a net by the wayſide: they have ſet grins for me. Selah.
5. There is no hunter or fowler, more induſtrious and cunning, in laying ſnares and toils, in ſpreading nets or ſetting gins and traps, for the beaſts or the birds in the places which they are wont to frequent; then they are to trace me in all my motions, (1 Sam. XXIII. 23.) and to invent all manner of wiles and ſubtle arts, to ſurpriſe me: which they proudly preſume will have their deſired ſucceſs.
6. I ſaid unto the LORD, Thou art my God: hear the voice of my ſupplications, O LORD.
6. To which I have neither cunning, nor power of my own to oppoſe, no Friend whoſe aid I can implore; but onelyonly commend my ſelf unto the Lord, ſaying; I have always owned Thee for my Proteetour, and Thou haſt hitherto owned me, and been my mercifull deliverer: Do not now, O Lord of all power and might, deny my earneſt requeſt; who depend on Thee alone for ſuccour.
7. O GOD the Lord, the ſtrength of my ſalvation; thou haſt covered my head in the day of battel.
7. O moſt mighty Lord, whom no Creature whatſoever can withſtand; O Thou who diſpoſeſt of all events; I again profeſs that I look for ſafety from thy almighty Power alone: by which I was protected (having no other helmet or armour, but onelyonly that 1 Sam. XVII. 39, 40, 50.) in the day when I fought with Goliath.
8. Grant not, O LORD, the deſires of the wicked, further not his wicked device, leſt they exalt themſelves. Selah.
8. Suffer not him, O moſt mighty Lord, who now ſeeks my deſtruction, to effect his deſire; let him not ſucceed in any of his miſchievous deſigns and projects againſt me: leſt he and his partakers grow ſo inſolent; as to dare to attempt all manner of violence againſt other innocents.
9. As for the head of thoſe that compaſs me about, let the miſchief of their own lips eover them.
9. Let the poiſonous and pernicious calumnies, of thoſe that now beſet me round, retort upon themſelves: and let them be overwhelmed by thoſe very devices, which, with laborious lies, they have contrived for my ruin.
10. Let burning coals fall upon them, let them be caſt into the fire; into deep pits, that they riſe not up again.
10. Let their ſlanders (which I can compare to nothing better then burning coals, that are not eaſily quenched) be the inſtruments of their own deſtruction: let them periſh in the flames, which they themſelves have kindled; and be irrecoverably thrown headlong into thoſe dangers and miſchiefs, which, like dreadfully deep pits, they prepared for my deſtruction.
11. Let not an evil ſpeaker be eſtabliſhed in the earth: evil ſhall hunt the violent man to overthrow him.
11. This I am confident ſhall be their portion; for, though a falſe Informer may for a time be believed, and thrive by his lies and ſlanders yet, Truth will at laſt prevail; and not ſuffer him to eſtabliſh his greatneſs by ſuch baſe and wicked practices: And as little ſhall violence and injuſtice avail him, that relies upon it; but bring upon him one evil after another: which ſhall purſue him to his ruin; as the hounds do the wild beaſt, which, after all its windings and turnings, becomes a prey unto them.
12. I know that the LORD will maintain the cauſe of the afflicted, and the right of the poor.
12. For I am ſure the Lord, who is ſtronger then all, will aſſert the cauſe of the Oppreſſed: and doe right to thoſe who are deſtitute of humane help; by puniſhing all that are injurious to them.
13. Surely the righteous ſhall give thanks unto thy name, the upright ſhall dwell in thy preſence.
13. Let the righteous rely on this, as an undoubted truth, that they ſhall give thanks to thy almighty Goodneſs, for appearing in their vindication: and, when theſe falſe and violent men ſhall be extinct, they that are ſincerely honeſt ſhall remain in thy favour; and receive the marks of it, in thy conſtant care and providence over them.