June 12, 2019 (Wednesday)
(From Easy English Translation): The word “selah” comes after verses 3, 5 and 8. It is a Hebrew word that does not come often in Book 5 of the Psalms. It is a word that David often used in his psalms in Books 1 and 2. Bible students are not sure what it means. They have explained it in at least 12 ways! The most common ways are:
· stop and think about the words;
· stop and pray about the words;
· stop and listen to music (while you think and pray).
In Psalm 140 the word selah helps to put the psalm into parts:
· verses 1 – 3: David prays that the LORD will save him from evil people;
· verses 4 – 5: David prays that he will not become caught in a trap;
· verses 6 – 8: David tells the LORD that the LORD is David’s God;
· verses 9 – 11: David prays that the LORD will destroy these evil people;
· verses 12 – 13: David says that he is sure that God will be kind to righteous people.
New International Version (NIV)
For the director of music. A psalm of David.
I. Prayer for deliverance from enemies (1-5)
1 Rescue me, Lord, from evildoers;
protect me from the violent,
2 who devise evil plans in their hearts
and stir up war every day.
3 They make their tongues as sharp as a serpent’s;
the poison of vipers is on their lips.
4 Keep me safe, Lord, from the hands of the wicked;
protect me from the violent,
who devise ways to trip my feet.
5 The arrogant have hidden a snare for me;
they have spread out the cords of their net
and have set traps for me along my path.
II. Prayer to the LORD for help (6-8)
6 I say to the Lord, “You are my God.”
Hear, Lord, my cry for mercy.
7 Sovereign Lord, my strong deliverer,
you shield my head in the day of battle.
8 Do not grant the wicked their desires, Lord;
do not let their plans succeed.
III. Prayer to the LORD to punish his enemies (9-11)
9 Those who surround me proudly rear their heads;
may the mischief of their lips engulf them.
10 May burning coals fall on them;
may they be thrown into the fire,
into miry pits, never to rise.
11 May slanderers not be established in the land;
may disaster hunt down the violent.
IV. Prayer of Confidence in the LORD’s justice (12-13)
12 I know that the Lord secures justice for the poor
and upholds the cause of the needy.
13 Surely the righteous will praise your name,
and the upright will live in your presence.
Click here for Easy English Explanations about Psalm 140
Click here for Cambridge Bible Commentary notes on Psalm 140
Click here for Spurgeon’s Treasury of David on Psalm 140
Click here for Enduring Word Commentary notes on Psalm 140
Click here for a list of Psalms we will study from June 5, 2019 to August 28, 2019