Psalms 140:2

2 who devise evil plans in their hearts and stir up war every day.

Psalms 140:2 in Other Translations

KJV
2 Which imagine mischiefs in their heart; continually are they gathered together for war.
ESV
2 who plan evil things in their heart and stir up wars continually.
NLT
2 those who plot evil in their hearts and stir up trouble all day long.
MSG
2 All they do is think up new ways to be bad; they spend their days plotting war games.
CSB
2 who plan evil in their hearts. They stir up wars all day long.

Psalms 140:2 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 140:2

Which imagine mischiefs in [their] heart
This shows that not a single person barely is meant but more, as Saul's courtiers; who were secretly and continually meditating mischief against David, traducing him to Saul, and devising things to take away his life. Such were the Jews to Christ, who were always plotting to entangle him, or contriving to kill him; and so wicked men are ever devising mischief against the quiet in the land, which is very abominable to God; and rightly observed here, to prevail upon the Lord to preserve from them, ( Psalms 2:1 ) ( Proverbs 6:18 ) ;

continually are they gathered together [for] war;
so Saul gathered together three thousand men, and went in pursuit of David, as an enemy, to take him. So Herod and Pontius Pilate joined together, though before enemies, in the prosecution of Christ; and Jews and Gentiles gathered together against him: so the saints, being in a warfare state, have their enemies, who often combine against them, and attack them, and will not suffer them to be at rest and peace; as sin, Satan, the world, and false teachers; see ( Psalms 120:7 ) .

Psalms 140:2 In-Context

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.

Cross References 2

  • 1. Psalms 36:4; Psalms 56:6; Psalms 52:2; Proverbs 6:14; Proverbs 16:27; Isaiah 59:4; Hosea 7:15
  • 2. S Psalms 68:30
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