Psalm 140:9

Verse 9. Those that compass me about. For an explanation of this expression we would refer the reader to "The Treasury of David", vol. 1 .p. 387, where he will find two very pertinent extracts from J. Stevenson and Dr. Shaw.

Verse 9. The mischief of their own lips. The pride and hauteur of the Jews in our Lord's day brought the Roman arms upon them, and caused them to fall into irremediable ruin. They invoked their own fate by exposing themselves to an invasion from Rome at all; but they did it still more in that terrific cry -- "His blood be upon us and on our children." -- William Hill Tucker, in "The Psalms, with Notes, Shewing their Prophetic and Christian Character", 1840.

Verse 9-10. Such passages admit of translation in the future, and are rather predictions than imprecations. --Ingram Cobbin, 1839.

Verse 9-11. The prophet, in these three verses, predicted those just judgments which heaven will inflict on the slanderers and persecutors of the righteous. Their lips, which uttered mischief against others, shall be the means of covering themselves with confusion, when out of their own mouths they shall be judged. Those tongues which have contributed to set the world on fire, shall be tormented with the hot burning coals of eternal vengeance: and they, who, with so much eagerness and diligence have prepared pits for the destruction of their brethren, shall be cast into a deep and bottomless pit, out of which they will not rise up again any more for ever. Evil speakers and false accusers shall gain no lasting establishment, but punishment shall hunt sin through all its doubles, and seize it at last as its legal prey. Let these great truths be firmly rooted in our hearts, and they will keep us steady in the worst of times. --George Horne.

HINTS FOR PASTORS AND LAYPERSONS

Verse 9. How the sin of evil speakers comes home to them. --W. B. H.