Psalms 140:2

Psa 140:2 Which imagine mischiefs in [their] heart; continually are they gathered together [for] war.

Ver. 2. Which imagine mischief in their heart] Where the devil worketh night and day as a mintman; as a smith in his forge; or an artificer in his shop. A godly man is said to have right thoughts, Pro 12:5, and that his desires are only good, Pro 11:23. An evil man is called a man of wicked devices, Pro 12:2; Pro 14:17, being ingeniose nequam, wittily wicked, as it was once said of Gaius Curio, the Roman lawyer.

They are gathered together for war] Heb. they gather wars, as serpents gather poison to vomit out at others. Coacervant praelia, q.d. sunt tanquam tubae belli.

John Trapp, A Commentary or Exposition upon All the Books of the Old and New Testament (1647–1656) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

3. (Psa 140:2) Who imagine evils in (their) hearts; all the day they gather (for) battles. That the preceding verse, notwithstanding the reference to Saul, is the description of a whole class, is clear from the plural forms in this verse. Think, meditate, devise, imagine. Evils, particularly such as are inflicted on others, well expressed in the common versions, mischiefs. Another construction of the last clause, preferred by some interpreters, is, all the day they dwell with wars (or in wars), i.e. are constantly involved in them and busied with them. This use of the verb is justified by Psa 5:4; Psa 105:23; Psa 125:5. But the analogy of Psa 56:6; Psa 59:3,is decisive in favour of the other explanation. Compare Psa 31:13; Psa 35:15, Isa 54:15.

Joseph Addison Alexander, The Psalms Translated and Explained (1850) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

That is, by their false cavillations and lies they kindle the hatred of the wicked against me.

Geneva Bible (1599) marginal notes — public domain. Text via Bolls.life.

Verse 2. They gathered together] He and his courtiers form plots and cabals against my life.

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible (1810–1826) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.

2. Who imagine mischief’s in their heart. Here he charges them with inward malignity of heart. And it is plain that the reference is not to one man merely, for he passes to the plural number (in a manner sufficiently common,) reverting from the head to all his associates and copartners in guilt. Indeed what was formerly said in the singular number may be taken indefinitely, as grammarians say. In general he repeats what I have noticed already, that the hostility to which he was subjected arose from no cause of his. From this we learn that the more wickedly our enemies assail us, and the more of treachery and clandestine acts they manifest, the nearer is the promised aid of the Holy Spirit, who himself dictated this form of prayer by the mouth of David. The second clause may be rendered in three ways. Literally it reads, who gather wars, and so some understand it. But it, is well known that the prepositions are often omitted in the Hebrew, and no doubt he means that they stirred up general enmity by their false information’s being as the trumpet which sounds to battle. Some render the verb — to conspire, or plot together, but this is a farfetched and meager sense. He intimates afterwards in what manner they stirred up unjust war by the wicked calumnies which they spread, as they could not crush a good and innocent person by violence, otherwise than by first overwhelming him with calumny.

John Calvin's Commentaries (1540-1563) — public domain. Text from the Calvin Translation Society English edition (1840s-50s) via the Christian Classics Ethereal Library (ccel.org). Calvin's coverage is partial (roughly two-thirds of the Bible); uncommented books and verses are honest gaps, never fabricated. The 19th-century editor's footnotes and remarks are omitted so the notes are faithfully Calvin's own voice.

(2) Imagine . . .—Or, contrive, plot.

Gathered together.—This translation follows the analogy of Psa_56:6. Others render, “dwell with wars.” But it is preferable to derive from a root meaning to incite: “They are continually stirring up wars.” It is the situation described in Psa_120:7 and frequently; Israel would be at peace, but within and without are those ever trying to involve her in troubles.

A Bible Commentary for English Readers, edited by Charles John Ellicott (1878–1897) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

2. Who have devised evils in their heart] Secretly and deliberately.

continually &c.] Every day do they stir up strife: lit. wars. They are perpetually trying to pick a quarrel with me.

The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges (gen. ed. J. J. S. Perowne; Cambridge University Press, 1878–1918) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

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, Psa 2:1;

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 Psa 120:7.

John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible (1746–1763) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.

Which imagine mischiefs in their heart - Here the language is changed to the plural number in the Hebrew, implying that while there was one man who was eminent in his wickedness and his wrong-doing, there were many others associated with him, acting under his direction. The word “mischiefs” in the Hebrew means “evils; wickednesses.” It was not a single purpose; the plan embraced many forms of evil - doing him wrong in every way possible.

Continually are they gathered together for war - They are organized for this purpose; they are constantly prepared for it. The word rendered “gathered together” properly means to sojourn, to dwell for a time; and it has been proposed by some to render this, “All the day they dwell with wars;” that is, they are constantly involved in them. But the word may mean also “to gather together,” as in Psa 56:6.

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible (1834–1885) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.

To execute those bloody enterprises which they had devised in the first clause of this verse.

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible (1683–1685) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.

Ver. 2. Which imagine mischiefs in their heart. They cannot be happy unless they are plotting and planning, conspiring and contriving. They seem to have but one heart, for they are completely agreed in their malice; and with all their heart and soul they pursue their victim. One piece of mischief is not enough for them; they work in the plural, and prepare many arrows for their bow. What they cannot actually do they nevertheless like to think over, and to rehearse on the stage of their cruel fancy. It is an awful thing to have such a heart disease as this. When the imagination gloats over doing harm to others, it is a sure sign that the entire nature is far gone in wickedness. Continually are they gathered together for war. They are a committee of opposition in permanent session: they never adjourn, but perpetually consider the all absorbing question of how to do the most harm to the man of God. They are a standing army always ready for the fray: they not only go to the wars, but dwell in them. Though they are the worst of company, yet they put up with one another, and are continually in each other's society, confederate for fight. David's enemies were as violent as they were evil, as crafty as they were violent, and as persistent as they were crafty. It is hard dealing with persons who are only in their element when they are at daggers drawn with you. Such a case calls for prayer, and prayer calls on God.

Ver. 2. Continually are they gathered together for war. Literally, this clause reads, who gather wars, and so some understand it. But it is well known that the prepositions are often omitted in the Hebrew, and no doubt he means that they stirred up general enmity by their false information which acted as a trumpet sounding to battle. John Calvin.

Ver. 2-3. The wicked assault the righteous with three weapons: with the heart, by conspiracy; with the tongue, by lying; and with the hand, by violence. John Lorinus, 1569-1634.

Psalms 140:3*

Charles H. Spurgeon's The Treasury of David (1869–1885) — public domain. Psalms only. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.

2. Mischiefs in their heart—Here is the seat and fountain of all deeds of wrong and violence. Mat_15:18-19. Satan’s workshop and council chamber are in the hearts “of the children of disobedience.” Eph_2:2.

Continually are they gathered together for war—Literally, Every day they gather war, or, All the day they are assembled to excite war. The latter is the probable sense, judging from the use of the word gather, in Psa_56:6; Psa_59:4; Isa_54:15. This also forms a fit parallel to their devising “mischiefs in their heart,” in the previous member. The Septuagint reads, “All the day they prepared war.” The version of the “Common Prayer Book” reads, “They stir up strife all the day long.”

Daniel D. Whedon (gen. ed.), Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1874–1909) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

Which imagine mischiefs in their heart. (comp. Psa_28:3 Psa_36:4 Psa_62:3) Continually are they gathered together for war; rather, continually do they stir up wars. (comp. Psa_68:30 Psa_120:7)

HOMILIES BY R. TUCK Ver. 2. The mischiefs of evil-disposed men.

"Mischiefs" is a very suggestive and comprehensive term. It is frequently used in the Psalms in the singular form, and always suggests scheming, underhanded plotting, to do some evil. In the plural form there are only two passages in the Scriptures, besides our text, in which the word is employed: Deu_32:23, "I will heap mischiefs upon them; I will spend mine arrows upon them;" Psa_52:2, "Thy tongue deviseth mischiefs; like a sharp razor, working deceitfully.

I REGARD MISCHIEFS AS MALICIOUS INTENTION. "The wicked plotteth against the just, and gnasheth upon him with his teeth;" "How long will ye imagine mischief against a man?" It is the characteristic of the evil-hearted, evil-disposed man, that he "deviseth mischiefs upon his bed." It is his pleasure to plan an injury; he delights in making misery, and ruining reputations. Any man may do a mischief on impulse or by accident. The evil man cherishes malicious intentions.

II REGARD MISCHIEFS AS INJURIOUS SPEECH. "They have sharpened their tongue like a serpent." There is speech that cuts and wounds by its bitterness; that injures by its untruthfulness; that destroys reputations by its slanderings. There is no surer sign of the evil heart than the evident pleasure felt in saying mischievous things.

III REGARD MISCHIEFS AS VIOLENT ACTS. (Vers. 4, 5) It is the peculiarity of evil-disposed men that cherished evil thoughts inspire evil deeds. The good man checks unkind and evil thoughts, lest they should get expression in acts. But the evil man nourishes them, enjoys them, puts himself into their power, and is by them urged on to violent and injurious deeds. Cherish malicious thought, and you put yourself into its power; and it may lead you on to shameful deeds. But the mischiefs of evil men never transcend the Divine limitations. God has his hand on them, and we may be absolutely assured that he says," Hitherto shalt thou come, and no farther; here shall thy proud waves be stayed." And we may even see deeper into the heart of Divine dealing, and say that the mischiefs of evil men become ministries of the Divine purpose of grace concerning God"s people. R.T.

The Pulpit Commentary (1880–1919), ed. H.D.M. Spence-Jones & Joseph S. Exell — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.