Psa 138.1-8 alludes to the coming of the Messiah. The heading in Hebrew merely says, “L’David” or “Of David.” In Psa 137, the people were silent, defeated and captive. In this psalm, the people are rejoicing over the fact that Messiah has come and Israel is a nation that has come under his benefits. It says, “I will give thee thanks with all my heart (with no reservations); I will sing praises to thee before the gods (powers, kings and judges-v 1). I will bow down toward thy holy temple (where the Ark was resting and where the Shekinah dwelt, whether it was at the Mishkan or the Ohel David), and give thanks to the name for thy lovingkindness and thy truth; for thou hast magnified thy word even beyond your name (the Scriptures exceeded all the other revelations of himself to mankind-v 2). On the day I called thou didst answer me; thou didst make me bold with strength in my soul (God’s quick response reinforced his faith to withstand his trials-v 3). All the kings of the earth (non-Jews) will give thanks to thee, O Yehovah, when they have heard the words of thy mouth (about the coming of Messiah in the Torah in Isa 2.2-v 4).” And they shall sing of Yehovah (his mercy, truth and peace) for great is the glory (kivod) of Yehovah (shown in creation, the redemption, salvation and his word-v 5). For though Yehovah is exalted (above all things), yet he regards the lowly and he notices those who are humble); but the haughty he knows from afar (He knows their ways and what they do-v 6). Though I walk in the midst of trouble (encircled by distress), thou wilt revive me (assure him of life); thou wilt stretch forth thy hand against the wrath of my enemies (hold back their evil intentions). And thy right hand will save me (his power will deliver him-v 7). Yehovah will accomplish what concern’s me (in delivering him); thy kindness, Yehovah, is everlasting; do not forsake the works of thy hands (let them go undone, especially God’s promises to David and ultimately Messiah-v 8).”
Psa 139.1-24 has the heading, “To the Chief Conductor, A Psalm of David .” It teaches us how impossible it is getting beyond God’s reach It also shows us how David was in God’s thoughts even in the womb, and he was created, along with the number of his days. This reveals the concepts of God’s sovereignty, omnipresence and omniscience. David appeals to God about his innocence and his abhorrence of the wicked.
Psa 139.1-6 talks about how God knows David, “Yehovah, thou hast searched (examined) me and known me (v 1). Thou didst know when I sit down and when I rise up (his conduct and affairs and their circumstances); thou dost understand my thoughts (long before he even thinks them-v 2). Thou dost scrutinize my path and my lying down, and art intimately acquainted with all my ways (God’s knowledge encompasses every phase of life-v 3). Even before there is a word on my tongue (you know what I am going to say-Prov 16.1). Behold (see for yourself, be occupied with), Yehovah, thou dost know it all (and the reason for it-v 4). Thou hast enclosed me behind and before (nothing escapes his eyes and there is nothing that David can do that is not known by Yehovah), and laid thy hand upon me (Yehovah is close to him-v 5). Such knowledge is too wonderful (hidden, concealed, unfathomable) for me; it is too high, I cannot attain to it (it is beyond human comprehension-v 6).”
Psa 139.7-12 tells us that David knew that Yehovah was always with him. It says, “Where can I go from your Spirit (and survive)? Or where can I hide from thy presence (like Adam and Jonah tried to do-v 7). If I ascend to heaven, thou art there; if I make my bed in Sheol, behold, thou art there (meaning there is no extreme location which is beyond his presence-v 8). If I take the wings of dawn (fly as fast as the morning light), if I dwell in the remotest part of the sea (in the farthest, most distant island-v 9), even there thy hand will lead me (omnipresent guidance) and thy right hand will lay hold of me (kindness and mercy will follow him- v10). If I say, ‘Surely the darkness will cover me (so Yehovah can’t see him), even the night around me will be light’ (no distinction between night and day with Yehovah-v 11). Even the darkness is not dark to thee (only the wicked think so-Isa 29.15), and the night is bright as the day. Darkness and light are alike to thee (no difference-v 12).”
Psa 139.13-16 speaks of how wonderfully David (and us) were created and how all his days are ordained for him. This portion shows us that a baby in the womb is a living, human being and it speaks against those who would say otherwise to justify abortion. It says, “For thou didst form my inward parts (literally “kidneys”); thou didst weave (fashion) me in my mother’s womb (v 13). I will give thanks to thee, for I am fearfully (awesomely) and wonderfully (distinctly, distinguished) made; wonderful (extraordinary) are thy works (of creation overall), and my soul knows it very well (but God’s ways are still hidden and beyond his capabilities to understand-v 14). My frame (bones, skeleton structure) was not hidden from thee, when I was made (conceived) in secret (in private), and skillfully wrought in the depths of the earth (David compares the womb to the earth where seeds grow-v 15). Thine eyes have seen my unformed substance (unshaped mass, the embryo) and in thy book they were all written (God’s eternal designs and plans and how David would fit in), the days that were ordained for me (Eph 1.4; Matt 6.27), when as yet there was not one of them (v 16).”
Psa 139.17-18 speaks of how Yehovah knows and cares for David. It begins, “How precious (weighty) also are thy thoughts to me, O God! How vast is the sum of them (can’t be counted-v 17)! If I should count them, they would outnumber the sand. When I awake (after falling asleep in trying to count them), I am still with thee (still contemplating Yehovah-v 18).”
Psa 139.19-22 tells us that David longs for God’s justice on the rashim (wicked). He says, “O that thou wouldst slay the wicked (rasha), O God; depart from me, therefore, men of bloodshed (they opposed God-v 19). For they speak against thee wickedly (with evil intent), and thine enemies take your name in vain (emptily-v 20). Do I not hate those who hate thee, Yehovah (their works, heresies that poison others against the truth)? And do I not quarrel with those who rise up against thee (regard them as enemies; like he would if someone came against his earthly father-v 21)? I hate them with the utmost hatred (since they hate Yehovah and the Torah); they have become my enemies (v 22).
Psa 139.23-24 is a prayer of humility and David says, “Search me (examine), O God, and know my heart (his mind, soul, spirit, kidneys, bowels, etc); try me and know my anxious thoughts (know me at my deepest level-Heb 4.12-v 23); and see if there be any hurtful way in me (point out my character flaws and the things that need correcting), and lead me in the everlasting way (the Torah, his will, the righteous path-v 24).”
Psa 140.1-13 is another psalm for the Levitical Choir director written by David when he was in some distress, but the exact circumstances are unknown.
Psa 140.1-3 is a prayer to be delivered and he says, “Rescue (release) me, O Yehovah, from the wicked man (“adam” or common man), preserve me from the violent man (“Ish” or prominent man-v 1) who devise evil things (schemes) in their heart (planning it); they continually stir up (gather) wars (David’s enemies gave Saul status reports on where David was and caused Saul to gather his army for war for instance-v 2). They sharpen their tongues as a serpent (especially Doeg and Saul, who were responsible for the death of the priests at Nob, and then we have Absalom and Ahitophel later, but this also alludes to the False Messiah and the False Prophet); poison of a viper is under their lips (their fangs pump poison into a bite-v 3).”
Psa 140.4-5 is another prayer for Yehovah to protect him from the wicked, “Keep me (guard), Yehovah, from the hands of the wicked (rasha); preserve me from the violent man (like Saul, Absalom, Doeg, Ahitophel, etc), who have purposed to trip up (jostle) my feet (and not allow him to rest-v 4). The proud (arrogant) hid a snare (a trap) for me, and cords; they have spread a net by the wayside (literally “circle” meaning the circuit where I walk); they have set snares (private and secret) for me (v 5).”
Psa 140.6-8 says David needs God’s help to avoid these things, “I said to Yehovah. ‘Thou art my God; Give ear, Yehovah, to the voice of my supplications (his appeals; it was humanly impossible to escape-v 6). Yehovah, the Lord (adonai), the strength of my salvation, thou hast covered (protected) my head in the day of battle (like armor, weapons-v 7). Do not grant, Yehovah, the desires of the wicked (to trap him and eradicate him); do not promote his evil devices (so that they succeed), lest they exalt themselves (and grow stronger). Selah (pause and think about what is said, prostrate-v 8).”
Psa 140.9-11 is a prayer to stop the wicked ones against David, “As for the head (rosh, chief) of those who surround me (Saul or some other leader), may the mischief of their lips cover them (the trouble they intended for me with their lips come upon their own heads -v 9). May burning coals fall upon them (like the wrath of God at Sodom and the three other cities of the plain); may they be cast into the fire (that they ignited by their own lips), into deep pits (burial pits) from which they cannot arise (v 10). May a slanderer (literally “man of the tongue”) not be established in the earth (be like Cain, not tolerated in any location); may evil hunt the violent man speedily (evil has ingrained his nature, it hunts them down and will eventually cause his destruction-v 11).”
Psa 140.12-13 shows David’s confidence in Yehovah, “I know (that you know what these evil men are thinking) that Yehovah will maintain the cause of the afflicted (and will deal with them) and justice (will be carried out) for the poor (who don’t have the means or influence to stand up to their lies and evil-v 12). Surely the righteous will give thanks to thy name (that the wicked have been defeated); the upright will dwell in thy presence (in the Messianic Kingdom and the Olam Haba-v 13).”
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