Psalms 140:8

8 Do not grant the wicked their desires, LORD; do not let their plans succeed.

Psalms 140:8 in Other Translations

KJV
8 Grant not, O LORD, the desires of the wicked: further not his wicked device; lest they exalt themselves. Selah.
ESV
8 Grant not, O LORD, the desires of the wicked; do not further their evil plot, or they will be exalted! Selah
NLT
8 LORD, do not let evil people have their way. Do not let their evil schemes succeed, or they will become proud. Interlude
MSG
8 Don't let the wicked have their way, God, don't give them an inch!"
CSB
8 Lord, do not grant the desires of the wicked; do not let them achieve their goals. [Otherwise,] they will become proud. Selah

Psalms 140:8 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 140:8

Grant not, O Lord, the desires of the wicked
Of Doeg, as the Targum, and of other wicked men, who were desirous both of taking him, and of taking away his life: but the desires of such men are under the restraints of the Lord; nor can they fulfil them unless they have leave from him, which is here deprecated. The psalmist entreats he might not be delivered up to their will, or they have their will of him; see ( Psalms 27:12 ) . Jarchi interprets it of Esau, as in ( Psalms 140:1 ) ; and it is applicable enough to antichrist and his wicked followers; who, could they have their desires, would root the Gospel, and the interest of Christ and his people, out of the world; further not his wicked device:
or, "let not his wicked device come forth" F12, or proceed to execution, or be brought to perfection; let him be disappointed in it, that he may not be able to perform his enterprise, or execute his designs; which cannot be done without the divine permission. The Rabbins, as Jarchi and others, render it, "let not his bridle come out" F13; the bridle out of his jaws, with which he was held by the Lord, and restrained from doing his will; let him not be left to his liberty, and freed from the restraints of divine Providence; see ( Isaiah 37:29 ) ; [lest] they exalt themselves.
Grow proud, haughty, and insolent to God and man; see ( Deuteronomy 32:27 ) . Or, "let them not be exalted" F14; upon the ruin of me and my friends. Selah; on this word, (See Gill on Psalms 3:2).


FOOTNOTES:

F12 (qpt la) "ne facias prodire", Vatablus; "ne sinas exire", Cocceius, Michaelis.
F13 "Vel frenum ejus ne sinas exire", Cocceius.
F14 (wmwry) "ne exaltentur", Vatablus, Gejerus.

Psalms 140:8 In-Context

6 I say to the LORD, “You are my God.” Hear, LORD, my cry for mercy.
7 Sovereign LORD, my strong deliverer, you shield my head in the day of battle.
8 Do not grant the wicked their desires, LORD; do not let their plans succeed.
9 Those who surround me proudly rear their heads; may the mischief of their lips engulf them.
10 May burning coals fall on them; may they be thrown into the fire, into miry pits, never to rise.

Cross References 1

  • 1. Psalms 10:2-3; S Psalms 66:7
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