Psalm 139:2-10,14
Deliver me, O Lord, from the evil man: rescue me from the unjust man. Who have devised iniquities in their hearts: all the day long they designed battles. They have sharpened their tongues like a serpent; the venom of asps is under their lips. Keep me, O Lord, from the hand of the wicked: and from unjust men deliver me. Who have proposed to supplant my steps. The proud have hidden a net for me. And they have stretched out cords for a snare for my feet; they have laid for me a stumbling-block by the wayside. I said to the Lord: Thou art my God. Hear, O Lord, the voice of my supplication. O Lord, Lord, the strength of my salvation: overshadow my head in the day of battle. Give me not up from my desire to the wicked: they have plotted against me. Do not Thou forsake me, lest at any time they should triumph. The head of them compassing me about: the labour of their lips shall overwhelm them. But the just shall give glory to Thy Name: and the upright shall dwell with Thy countenance.
Haydock
Verse 2. Man. Saul, (C.) Judas, (S. Hil.) or self-love, the old man, who is our most dangerous enemy. Bert.
Verse 3. Battles. And formed plots to destroy the just. W.
Verse 4. Serpent. So Plautus says, “A double-tongued and wicked man is like a creeping beast,” in Persa. H.
Verse 6. Side. The enemies of David calumniated him, and strove to make him follow idols. 1 K. xxvi. 19.
Verse 8. Battle. Against Goliath, or against the attempts of Saul, &c. C. — Prayer and divine grace are necessary, to guard us from sin. W.
Verse 9. Desire. If I yield to my passions, (S. Aug.) or after I have expressed my request, contrary to my desire, &c. Heb. “Grant not the desire of the sinner, complete not his thought. They will be elated.” Some supply, “lest they be.” The ancients seem not to have read in the same manner. Bert. — Abandon not my soul, which is all my care, (Ps. xxi. 21.) to the sinner. C.
Verse 10. Head. Heb. also, “poison,” (Bert.) or “sum” of their mischievous devices. W. — Labour, or punishment. C. — Their subtle persuasions shall turn to their ruin. W.
Verse 14. Countenance in glory, when thou shalt appear. 1 Jo. iii. 2. H. — The shall dwell under thy special protection in the tabernacle. C.