The Righteous One amid snares, confidently expecting the ruin of the ungodly and his on reward 

What was true of David in this psalm was similarly true of Christ. The maliciousness and spite of enemies are described, and the confidence and trust of both confessed. It is to God they look in their afflictions, and acknowledge that God the Lord was the strength of their salvation. It was this helmet of salvation that covered their heads, and the shield of faith that defended both. 

The popular doctrine that God loves everybody does not fit into the sentiments of this psalm. We may well ask if He does, when does He stop loving them? Is it love we see operating in v10? Rather, there is a description of violent justice enacted, and the judgment of God falling as burning coals upon the wicked. That is not necessarily reserved for the final day, but it also occurs in time.

Psalm 140

 1  Lord, from the ill and froward man
       give me deliverance,
    And do thou safe preserve me from
       the man of violence:

 2  Who in their heart mischievous things
       are meditating ever;
    And they for war assembled are
       continually together.

 3  Much like unto a serpent's tongue
       their tongues they sharp do make;
    And underneath their lips there lies
       the poison of a snake.

 4  Lord, keep me from the wicked's hands,
       from vi'lent men me save;
    Who utterly to overthrow
       my goings purposed have.

 5  The proud for me a snare have hid,
       and cords; yea, they a net
    Have by the way-side for me spread;
       they gins for me have set.

 6  I said unto the Lord, Thou art
       my God: unto the cry
    Of all my supplications,
       Lord, do thine ear apply.

 7  O God the Lord, who art the strength
       of my salvation:
    A cov'ring in the day of war
       my head thou hast put on.

 8  Unto the wicked man, O Lord,
       his wishes do not grant;
    Nor further thou his ill device,
       lest they themselves should vaunt.

 9  As for the head and chief of those
       about that compass me,
    Ev'n by the mischief of their lips
       let thou them cover'd be.

10  Let burning coals upon them fall,
       them throw in fiery flame,
    And in deep pits, that they no more
       may rise out of the same.

11  Let not an evil speaker be
       on earth established:
    Mischief shall hunt the vi'lent man,
       till he be ruined.

12  I know God will th' afflicted's cause
       maintain, and poor men's right.
13  Surely the just shall praise thy name;
       th' upright dwell in thy sight.


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