Psalms 140:4

4 Preserve me, Jehovah, from the hands of the wicked, From one of violence Thou keepest me, Who have devised to overthrow my steps.

Psalms 140:4 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 140:4

Keep me, O Lord, from the hands of the wicked
From falling into their hands, and the weight of them}; and from their laying hands on him, being men of power and authority;

preserve me from the violent man:
or men, everyone of them; (See Gill on Psalms 140:1);

who have purposed to overthrow my goings:
to supplant him; to cause him to stumble and fall, to his disgrace and reproach; and that they might take an advantage of him, and an occasion against him. Arama interprets it, to drive me out of the land of Israel; see ( 1 Samuel 26:1 1 Samuel 26:9 ) . So Christ's enemies thought to have supplanted him, and have found something against him, to accuse him of to Caesar, ( Matthew 22:15-22 ) .

Psalms 140:4 In-Context

2 Who have devised evils in the heart, All the day they assemble [for] wars.
3 They sharpened their tongue as a serpent, Poison of an adder [is] under their lips. Selah.
4 Preserve me, Jehovah, from the hands of the wicked, From one of violence Thou keepest me, Who have devised to overthrow my steps.
5 The proud hid a snare for me -- and cords, They spread a net by the side of the path, Snares they have set for me. Selah.
6 I have said to Jehovah, `My God [art] Thou, Hear, Jehovah, the voice of my supplications.'
Young's Literal Translation is in the public domain.