Psalm 140 (139):12Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

In discussing the anger of God, it is evident that wrongdoing alone is enough to bring ruin upon those who engage in it. This type of malice should not be taken lightly—being arrogant and failing to restrain one's speech leads to serious consequences. The phrase "evil-tongued" refers to the slanderer, the gossiper, the malicious speaker, and those who constantly criticize others, behaving no better than animals. What are the repercussions of such behavior? He states that “He shall not reform” on earth. Another source suggests that he will not be established, meaning he will be toppled, brought low, and will perish. This reveals the outcome of slander; such a person becomes an adversary to everyone, unpleasant and repugnant to all.

The voice of our Lord has commanded me, dear brethren, along with the authority of the Lord of all, to bring forth this psalm for your edification, as God grants me the strength to do so. May He guide your prayers so that I articulate what is necessary, allowing you to receive the Word of God in a manner that is beneficial for all of us. This Word does not hold value for everyone, as not all possess faith. 1 Thessalonians 3:2... The essence of this psalm was likely grasped by you as you sang it; in it, the Church of Christ, amidst the wicked, expresses its anguish and offers prayers to our God. In each prophecy, her voice reflects that of one who is in need, yearning and unfulfilled, striving for righteousness (Matthew 5:6), and promised a certain fulfillment at the end... At the conclusion of the psalm, directed to David himself, we can expect no other outcome than that which the Apostle has given: for Christ is the culmination. Romans 10:4... He descended from David, not in His divine nature—being the Creator of David—but in the flesh. Thus, He chose to be referred to as David in prophecy; consider this, as the psalm is directed to David himself, to hear the voice of His Body, to be present in His Body. Let the voice you have heard resonate within you, and pray accordingly:

"Rescue me, O Lord, from the wicked one." Psalm 139:1. This cry is not merely for one individual but for a collective, not just for particular vessels but for their very leader, who is the devil. Why mention man if referring to the devil? Because he is figuratively called a man. Matthew 13:24-28... Illuminated not by our own understanding, but in the Lord (Ephesians 5:8), we should pray not only against the darkness of sin, which still possesses those under the devil’s influence, but also against their ruler, the devil himself, who actively works in the hearts of the disobedient. "Deliver me from the ungodly." The same plea as for the wicked. He refers to him as wicked due to his unrighteousness to ensure you do not think any unrighteous man may be good. Many unrighteous individuals appear harmless; they are not overtly fierce, nor do they persecute or oppress; however, they are unjust due to their pursuit of various vices, such as drunkenness and indulgence in pleasures... Thus, every unrighteous man, regardless of demeanor, poses a danger. Whoever finds themselves entangled in their snares will realize how harmful what seemed innocuous truly is. For, brethren, thorns do not sting solely at their roots; pull them from the earth and touch their roots without pain, yet it is from that root from which your pain arises. Consequently, do not be deceived by those who seem mild and gentle yet are tethered to carnal desires, driven by impure passions. Though they may seem amiable, they contribute to a thorny foundation...

Therefore, my beloved brethren, members of the Body of Christ, as you encounter such wicked individuals rushing towards sinful desires and deadly pleasures, rebuke them immediately, correct them instantaneously, and decisively cleanse the root, so that no thorns may sprout. If you remain passive, they will become your adversaries. They may exhibit silence or conceal their animosity, yet they cannot harbor love for you. Since they cannot offer you love, and those who despise you must seek your harm, do not hesitate to beseech God: "Rescue me, O Lord, from the unjust man."

"From him who devises wickedness in his heart." Psalm 139:2... Deliver me from such individuals; let Thy mighty hand prove powerful to save me. For it is simple to evade overt enmity; it is easy to distance oneself from a clear enemy. In contrast, iniquity dwells both in their speech and thoughts; he who presents himself as a pleasant adversary, harboring malicious intent. All day long they wage war. What is this strife? Throughout the day, they compel me to combat against them. Every temptation confronting a Christian springs from hearts like these. Whether it be rebellion, division, heresy, or open resistance, it originates solely from such hidden pernicious desires. While they utter peaceful words, their hearts are marked by conflict. The phrase "all day long" indicates continuity, without cessation. They sharpen their tongues like serpents. Psalm 139:3.

Should you still discern this entity, consider this analogy. More than all creatures, the serpent embodies cunning and skill to inflict harm; hence, it stealthily approaches. It lacks feet, such that when it moves, you cannot hear its approach. It undulates as if unhurried, yet not in a straight path. Thus, they stealthily advance to do harm, concealing their venom beneath even the slightest gesture. The poison of serpents lies hidden beneath their lips. Observe this: one thing resides beneath their lips, and another emerges from their mouths...

"Guard me, O Lord, from the hand of the wicked, from the unrighteous deliver me." Psalm 139:4. Their true nature is revealed here; we need not seek understanding, only action: we must pray, without the need to identify who they are. The manner of praying against such wickedness is further explained. Many pray ineptly against evil individuals. Who dares to lead me astray? This can be comprehended in a worldly manner. Everyone has adversaries seeking to deceive them in commerce, aiming to misappropriate their wealth. Everyone encounters neighbors who, out of spite, aim to jeopardize their families or properties through schemes and deceitful tactics—this is indisputable. However, such awareness must not lead you to fear them solely on this account, but rather to caution against their influence that might distance you from the Body of Christ, attempting to make you part of their own corrupted faction. For just as Christ exemplifies the Head of the righteous, so too does the devil represent their head.

What does it mean for one to entangle my steps? It does not imply being deceived merely in business, nor does he mislead you solely in shared endeavors. He leads you away if he obstructs your path toward God; thus, what you rightly aim for becomes impeded, sidetracked, or even diverts you back to your original position. Whoever has done this to you has led you astray; such ones have deceived you. Against these entanglements, pray so you do not compromise your spiritual inheritance or lose Christ, your co-heir, for you are destined to dwell eternally with Him who has granted you this inheritance.

"The proud have set a trap for me." Psalm 139:5. In this, he encapsulates the essence of the devil, referring to them as “proud.” They often perceive themselves as righteous, all the while remaining unjust. Nothing vexes them more than confessing their transgressions. They are those who, while pretending to be righteous, inevitably envy those who genuinely uphold goodness. One does not envy what they neither aspire to possess nor to emulate... Thus, all the seductions and deceits orchestrated by the adversary originate from this pride. This was the first thing the devil desired—having fallen, he envied the upright man...

"But the proud ones have ensnared me; they sought to mislead me." They extended cords like snares. What sort of cords? The meaning is well documented in Scripture; we discover elsewhere what these cords symbolize. "For every one is bound by the bonds of his transgressions," observes Proverbs 5:22. Isaiah plainly states, "Woe to those who draw iniquity with cords of falsehood." Isaiah 5:18. Why is it termed a rope? Because each sinner who persists with their sin adds more sin to their burden; blaming their sins in a bid to amend, they inadvertently multiply what could be resolved through confession, often intensifying their plight with further wrongdoings...

Thus, they spread their sins as snares for the upright, persuading them to engage in the very evils they perpetuate. They seek to entrap me through the paths they create. It is not in designated paths that they entrap but rather through deviations from them. Your ways align with God’s commandments. They erect obstacles in these paths; you should not depart from them nor stumble against them. Do not comfort yourself by saying God will prevent them from laying traps, for indeed, He has permitted them to do so for your benefit, that you might not waver.

And what now remains? What is the remedy amidst such trials, temptations, and dangers? "I said to the Lord, Thou art my God." Psalm 139:6. The resonance of prayer is profound; it ignites confidence. Is He not the God of others? What is He not, who is indeed the true God? Yet He is intimately connected with those who cherish Him, who serve Him, who willingly obey Him. Even the wicked yield to Him, albeit begrudgingly...

"Hear with Your ears the voice of my prayer." He did not say, “Hear my prayer with your ears,” but instead, to express more clearly the condition of his heart, “the voice of my prayer,” the essence of my supplication, the spirit of my invocation—not mere words, but the life infusing those words. All lifeless sounds can be termed noise, but not every noise qualifies as a word. Words belong to the living, those who possess souls. Yet how many cry out to God without understanding Him or holding correct notions about Him! They may utter prayers, but void of true life, they lack substance.

This was the prayer of a living soul, one who recognized that God was his God, knew from whom he had been delivered, and comprehended the source of his rescue. Having made this request known to God, let him earnestly proclaim, "Lord, Lord." You are the Lord God; that is, the true Sovereign, distinct from human lords, unlike those who barter with riches, but the Lord who redeems with His blood. "O Lord, You are the strength of my health." Psalm 139:7. He who empowers my well-being. What signifies the strength of my health? He lamented the hurdles and snares laid by the sinners, the impious, the devil’s minions who beset him and ensnared him. The proud ones, consumed with envy for the righteous. But he quickly coupled that lamentation with hope, asserting, “Whoever perseveres until the end will be saved.” Endurance is requisite for salvation; it demands strength: "You are the strength of my salvation; through You, I shall endure and thereby attain salvation…"

In the midst of this spiritual conflict, he reflected upon the grace of God; as he began to feel weary and drained, he discovered a refuge. “You have covered my head in the day of conflict,” that is, in the scorching heat, protecting me from desiccation.

"Do not deliver me, O Lord, according to my desires concerning the wicked." Psalm 139:8. Observe what benefit Your shelter will grant me, to shield me from suffering at my own hands. What could this wicked individual inflict upon me, no matter their fury? For the unrighteous have raged against the martyrs, captured them, bound them, incarcerated them, slain them by the sword, subjected them to wild beasts, consumed them with flames—yet God did not abandon them to the wicked, for they were not delivered by their own wishes. Therefore, pray earnestly, that God may not surrender you to the wicked one due to your own desires. For in yielding to temptation, you open the door to the devil.

Behold, the devil presents a façade of profit before you, enticing you towards wickedness; you cannot gain unless you engage in evil. The promised benefit is but bait, and wickedness the snare—observe the lure, so you are not ensnared by the trap; for there is no gain without a corresponding transgression, and should you err, you're certain to fall into entrapment...

Hence, your head will be shrouded in darkness during the conflict, for desire ignites fervor, but the Lord’s shelter tempers that yearning, curbing impatience while warding off the net. They have plotted against me; do not forsake me, lest they be elevated. You are aware that those who oppress me will rejoice if I falter. Such is their nature, driven by the adversary himself…

The unredeemed individual cannot be transformed during their time on earth. An eternal fire is destined for the wicked; yet even in this life, the unredeemed will not experience transformation until the conclusion of their existence. A cranky and cantankerous person, even in their worldly pursuits, is unable to govern their own actions, causing turmoil through their negativity. How can those who are enamored with sin find the strength to correct their course toward righteousness? The unrighteousness of evil ensnares a person in deterioration, for like a lingering illness, it consumes the vice that resides within them, serving as a punishment that aligns with their actions. When vice taints the soul that clings to it, this suffering is as profound as any other form of punishment.

The individual among the nations will not be transformed in the land. The prophet refers to those who perpetually defamed Saul, such as Doicus, Zephas, and others who indulged in various calumnies. He illustrates that those who embrace deceitful words in pursuit of wealth and authority ultimately fall short of their desires and objectives. A wicked person will be ensnared by evil into ruin. This reflects the experience of Saul, who, besieged in combat, suffered a fatal injury.

A wicked individual who speaks evilly will not find success on the earth. According to the understanding, a person who is loose with their words—excessively talkative, reckless, or one who thrives on conflict—will ultimately fail in their endeavors and face destruction in both body and spirit. David illustrates that the very essence of evil can lead to the ruin of those who harbor it within themselves. The malicious talker, entrenched in slander, becomes a foe to all—being burdensome and intolerable. In contrast, a person known for generosity and gentleness, who practices restraint, maintains stability and is a source of goodwill. An unrighteous individual is led away into decay, echoing the insight of another wise figure: "The iniquities of a man ensnare him" (Proverbs 5:22).

In this context, David refers to the ungodly, describing them as individuals who rely more on deceit and slander than on direct confrontation, as he previously stated, "The poison of asps is under their lips." In the following part, he portrays his adversaries in another light, indicating that they employ not only cunning and betrayal but also outright aggression. Hence, he compares them to lions and foxes. This metaphor, derived from fishing, is aptly chosen. Just as a fisherman casts his net widely, leaving no escape for the prey, so too do the wicked, despite their attempts to distance themselves from God, find no refuge from His judgment. The wicked will indeed be ensnared in their own destruction, for the more they fantasize about being unpunished, the closer they approach their downfall.

Ultimately, in the fulfillment of the prophecy regarding Christ, as the law and the prophets have borne witness, this psalm was imparted to David through the Holy Spirit. Within this psalm, the prophet earnestly implores God for rescue from Saul and other merciless oppressors. However, this psalm holds profound significance for Christ the Lord, who offers a prayer to God the Father during times of persecution, a model for every faithful believer’s plea against both visible and invisible foes. The voice of Christ reaches out to God the Father amid His suffering, addressing the treachery of Judas and the unrighteous assembly of the Jewish leaders, who conspired in secret against Him.