Psalms 140:4

Commentary on Psalms 140:4 (KJV)

Psalm 140 is a fervent prayer of David, appealing to God for deliverance from malicious and violent enemies. In verse 4, David intensifies his plea, specifying the nature and intent of his adversaries. This psalm vividly portrays the anguish of one who is unjustly pursued and slandered, seeking divine refuge from those who plot his downfall.

Context

This psalm is a lament, a common genre in the Psalter where the psalmist cries out to God from a position of distress. David, who faced numerous threats throughout his life—from King Saul to his own son Absalom—often expressed his reliance on God in times of intense peril. Psalm 140, in particular, focuses on the verbal and physical assaults of the wicked, underscoring their deceitful nature and violent intentions. The request in verse 4 is a direct petition for God’s active intervention against these specific threats, highlighting the enemies’ calculated desire to disrupt David's life and purpose.

Key Themes

• Divine Protection and Preservation: The primary theme is David's urgent request for God to "keep" and "preserve" him. This underscores a deep trust in God as the ultimate source of safety and security against human malice. It’s a plea for God’s active hand in shielding him from harm.
• The Malicious Intent of the Wicked: David describes his adversaries not merely as dangerous, but as having "purposed to overthrow my goings." This reveals a deliberate, calculated intent to cause him to stumble, fall from his path, or ruin his life and purpose. It’s a spiritual and personal assault, aiming to destabilize his very existence.
• Vulnerability and Dependence: The prayer acknowledges David's own vulnerability in the face of such determined opposition. By crying out to the LORD, he demonstrates complete dependence on God's power rather than his own strength or strategy.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV translation captures the essence of the Hebrew well:

• "Wicked" (Hebrew: רָשָׁע, rasha): This term refers to those who are morally corrupt, guilty, and actively oppose God's righteousness. They are characterized by their ungodly actions and often their defiance of divine law.
• "Violent man" (Hebrew: אִישׁ חֲמָסִים, ish hamasim): Literally "man of violences" or "man of cruelties." The word hamas denotes aggressive, often unjust, force, cruelty, and lawlessness. It paints a picture of someone who uses brute force or oppressive tactics.
• "Overthrow my goings" (Hebrew: לְהַדּוֹף פְּעָמָי, lehadof pe'amay): The verb hadof means to thrust down, push away, or cause to stumble. Pe'amay refers to one's steps, path, or way of life. Thus, the enemies' intent is to cause David to fall, deviate from his righteous path, or completely ruin his journey and purpose. This is not just physical harm, but an attempt to derail his destiny, echoing the idea that the Lord directs our steps.

Reflection and Application

Psalms 140:4 offers profound comfort and guidance for believers facing opposition today.

• Prayer as a First Resort: Like David, when confronted by hostility, injustice, or those who seek to undermine our progress, our first response should be to turn to God in prayer. He is our ultimate refuge and strength.
• Understanding the Enemy's Aim: This verse helps us recognize that spiritual and personal attacks often aim not just to hurt, but to "overthrow our goings"—to cause us to stumble in our faith, abandon our callings, or deviate from God's path. Understanding this malicious intent helps us to be vigilant and rely on God’s protection.
• God's Preserving Power: Even when surrounded by those who plot evil, we can trust in the Lord's ability to keep us and preserve our way. This promise of divine preservation is a bedrock of faith, reminding us that He will cover us with His feathers, and under His wings shall we trust. It encourages us to continue walking in faith, knowing our steps are secured by Him.