Bible Commentaries

"To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David." Deliver me, O LORD, from the evil man: preserve me from the ^a violent man;

(a) Who persecutes me out of malice and without cause.

Which imagine mischiefs in [their] ^b heart; continually are they gathered together [for] war.

(b) That is, by their false accusations and lies, they kindle the hatred of the wicked against me.

They have sharpened their tongues like a serpent; ^c adders' poison [is] under their lips. Selah.

(c) He shows the weapons the wicked use, when power and force fail them.

Keep ^d me, O LORD, from the hands of the wicked; preserve me from the violent man; who have purposed to overthrow my goings.

(d) He declares the remedy of the godly, when they are oppressed by the worldlings.

O GOD the Lord, the strength of my salvation, thou ^e hast covered my head in the day of battle.

(e) He calls to God with lively faith, being assured of his mercies, because he had before time proved, that God helped him ever in his dangers.

Grant not, O LORD, the desires of the wicked: ^f further not his wicked device; [lest] they exalt themselves. Selah.

(f) For it is in God's hand to overthrow the counsels and enterprises of the wicked.

[As for] ^g the head of those that compass me about, let the mischief of their own lips cover them.

(g) It seems that he alludes to Saul.

Let burning coals fall upon them: ^h let them be cast into the fire; into deep pits, that they rise not up again.

(h) That is by God, for David saw that they were reprobate and that there was no hope of repentance in them.

Let not an evil speaker be established in the earth: evil shall ⁱ hunt the violent man to overthrow [him].

(i) God's plagues will light on him in such sort, that he will not escape.

Surely the righteous shall give thanks unto thy name: the upright shall ^k dwell in thy presence.

(k) That is, will be descended and preserved by your fatherly providence and care.