What does Psalm 140:11 mean?
ESV: Let not the slanderer be established in the land; let evil hunt down the violent man speedily!
NIV: May slanderers not be established in the land; may disaster hunt down the violent.
NASB: May a slanderer not endure on the earth; May evil hunt a violent person violently.'
CSB: Do not let a slanderer stay in the land. Let evil relentlessly hunt down a violent man.
NLT: Don’t let liars prosper here in our land. Cause great disasters to fall on the violent.
KJV: Let not an evil speaker be established in the earth: evil shall hunt the violent man to overthrow him.
NKJV: Let not a slanderer be established in the earth; Let evil hunt the violent man to overthrow him.”
Verse Commentary:
Verse Context:
Psalm 140:9–11 contains direct requests that the Lord would harm or punish enemies. These "imprecations" are appeals to God, not vows, or plans for David to act himself. Part of his wish is that the wicked will suffer the same fate they seem to plan for David (Psalm 140:8). He hopes for their death and defeat, hoping that harm will come to these bloodthirsty ones before they gain power.
Chapter Summary:
David prays for rescue from wicked and bloodthirsty enemies. He suggests violent conspiracies and traps, including false words. These enemies are plotting for his death, so he asks God for protection. This prayer comes with confidence that the Lord will grant David's request. David also asks the Lord to judge these evil opponents: to make them suffer defeat and death. This is also expressed with confidence that God will do what is right and care for the weak.
Chapter Context:
Psalm 140 is part of a series associated with David (Psalms 138—145). No specific event is mentioned. However, David experienced danger and conspiracy many times. King Saul sought to have him killed (1 Samuel 19:1–2) and David's own son, Absalom, conspired to take the throne (2 Samuel 15:13–14). Because David prays for negative consequences on these enemies, this is considered the last of the "imprecatory" psalms (Psalms 5; 10; 17; 35; 58; 59; 69; 70; 79; 83; 109; 129; 13). Davd's Psalm 7 has a similar progression of ideas and also relates to a hostile enemy.
Book Summary:
The book of Psalms is composed of individual songs, hymns, or poems, each of which is a ''Psalm'' in and of itself. These works contain a wide variety of themes. Some Psalms focus on praising and worshipping God. Others cry out in anguish over the pain of life. Still other Psalms look forward to the coming of the Messiah. While some Psalms are related, each has its own historical and biblical context.
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