Psalm 140

Psa 140:1

SUPERSCRIPTION: "A PSALM OF DAVID".

CONTEXT: Poss Absalom's rebellion. (HEZEKIAH) The cursing of Rabshakeh, and Sennacherib. (NT) Plots, evil words, and intrigues directed against Christ: John 5:16,18; Mark 3:6; Luke 11:54; John 7:19-21,25; 8:59; Luke 13:31; John 10:31,39; 11:8,16,44-54; Luke 20:14-26; Matt 26:3-5,16. Esp the intrigue and hostility of the last week of his ministry, which he spent in and around Jerusalem.

Psa 140:3

THEIR TONGUES AS SHARP AS A SERPENT'S: A clear allusion to the serpent of Gen 3. This contrasts beautifully with the tongue and lips of the Bride -- which drips with honey (Song 4:11).

(NT) Mat 23:33; Rom 3:13.

See Lesson, Selah.

Psa 140:4

THE WICKED... MEN OF VIOLENCE: Shimei (2Sa 16:5-13), Ahithophel (2Sa 17:1-3).

Psa 140:5

SNARE... NET... TRAPS: Secret and deceitful activity: Psa 31:4; 57:6; 64:5; 142:3.

See Lesson, Selah.

Psa 140:7

WHO SHIELDS MY HEAD: Like a bodyguard (1Sa 28:2; 2Sa 15:18).

Psa 140:8

See Lesson, Selah.

Psa 140:9

Brought down by their own disloyalty: Absalom, Ahithophel, Shimei, Ziba.

(NT) "His blood be on us and on our children" (Matt 27:25) was followed by AD 70. And the decree of Caiaphas, that "one man should die for the people" (John 11:50), resulted in the annulment of his own priesthood. Cp also Psa 7:16; 109:5-20.

Psa 140:10

BURNING COALS: Pro 16:27; 25:21,22; Rom 12:20. Coals of fire may be a curse (Eze 10:2; Psa 120:2-4), but in certain instances (with those who recognize their sins?) they may also be a blessing (Isa 6:6,7)!

Cp stones flung by Shimei at David.

(HEZEKIAH) The fire of God falling on Assyrians (Isa 30:30-33).

INTO MIRY PITS: Absalom, cast into a "great pit" (2Sa 18:17).

(HEZEKIAH) Assyrian corpses by the 1000s, buried in Gehenna.

Psa 140:11

MAY DISASTER HUNT DOWN MEN OF VIOLENCE: Sennacherib was finally slain by his own sons (Isa 37:38).

Psa 140:12

A marvelous expression of faith. God is in control -- all will yet be well; cp the spirit of David's reaction to the curses of Shimei: "If he is cursing because the LORD said to him, 'Curse David,' who can ask, 'Why do you do this?'... My son, who is of my own flesh, is trying to take my life. How much more, then, this Benjamite! Leave him alone; let him curse, for the LORD has told him to. It may be that the LORD will see my distress and repay me with good for the cursing I am receiving today" (2Sa 16:10-12).

Psa 140:13

THE UPRIGHT WILL LIVE BEFORE YOU: The highest ambition of this man whose leprosy had excluded him from the sanctuary of the Lord.