Preserve me from the violent man …. They have sharpened their tongues like a serpent … the proud have hid a snare for me … Psalm 140:1,3,5 KJV
Preserve me from violent men… They sharpen their tongues as a serpent… The proud have hidden a trap for me … Psalms 140:1,3,5 NASB
Psalm 140 is a Psalm written by David. It may reflect his experiences during his fugitive days, seeking refuge from Saul’s jealous rage. It might fit into some other period of his life, even the Absalom rebellion or some unrecorded palace intrigue. But what David experienced in his life was only a preview in miniature of what David’s greater Son would know throughout His earthly sojourn. From His birth and the treachery of Herod the Great to His final trial before Pilate, every detail of this Psalm was experienced by Him.
In verses 1-5, we see the Traps Laid for the Righteous Man. Notice the descriptives employed to characterize his foes. We see the Vileness of Men: they are viewed as evil, violent, like adders, wicked. Notice the Variety of their Strategies: violence, taking counsel for war, their tongues spreading wicked words, accusations, gossip; purposed to overthrow His goings; hidden traps and snares in the way; slander, snares, subtlety. Every stratagem of evil and all the armaments of the Evil one were sent into battle against Him.
The psalmist also reveals to us something of the Violence of Men. It appears that it is violence for the sake of violence: “they are gathered together for battle.” That is their single intent, their sole purpose and pursuit. Then to this is added the Vaunting of the Proud. Herein is revealed the basic problem, the pride of men which leads them to look down on others and to forget God.
The Lord Jesus knew all that is contained in these first five verses: the counsels of the ungodly, the criticism of enemies, the hidden snares of the ungodly, the craftiness of the opponents, their commitment to evil. He saw the traps which they had set for Him to catch Him in His words.
In verses 6-11 we are shown the Trust of the Righteous Man. How will a righteous man “cope” with all the evil which surrounds him and attacks him every day? There was One Righteous Man Who was marked by Devotion amidst Danger. Hear His confession: “Thou art My God” (v 6). Notice His Dependence, “Hear the voice of My supplications.” And further, as though to emphasize His total reliance on His God, He refers to God as “the strength of My Salvation.” What infinite joy it must have brought a Father’s heart to see One Who in Himself was Omnipotent yet willing to allow God to be His strength and to manifest His strength on His behalf!
But when we arrive at verse 9, we must part company with the Psalmist and his experiences. Instead of calling for judgment upon His foes as David did here, the Lord Jesus prayed for their salvation. Mercy and kindness were the expression of His lips and the desire of His heart when upon the cross.
The Testimony of this Righteous Man concludes the Psalm. His perfect confidence in God is expressed in the words of verse 12 “I know …” That confidence leads to praise: the righteous Man is able to give praise to God. He will eternally be the great Song Leader of His people before the throne (Ps 22:22; Heb 2:12). The Psalm closes with an affirmation of the Permanence and Security of the Upright. Here once again before the Psalm draws to a close, David and Christ join company. Both were marked by this steadfast confidence and song of praise.
Consider:
While not officially a “Messianic Psalm” it nevertheless reflects so much of the experience of the Lord Jesus Christ. Is this one reason God allowed David to pass through some of his trials?