Chapter One Hundred Thirty-Nine

The psalm according to the inscription in Hebrew, Greek, and Latin Bibles belongs to David. Its content is similar to Ps 57 and Ps 63. The conclusion in all three psalms is almost identical word for word. The depiction in the psalm of David’s enemies as deceitful, oppressive, crafting schemes and slandering him is similar to the characteristics we have already encountered repeatedly in the psalms from the period of persecutions by Absalom; therefore this psalm should be considered as written at that time, when David had not yet fled from Jerusalem, but saw all that his enemies were planning against him.

Preserve me, O Lord, from the enemy, flattering in speech, evil in heart, my oppressor, who has laid snares and nets for me (2–6). Cover me from him and let my enemy perish, as it were in fire (7–11). I believe that the Lord will not allow the wicked to triumph, will protect the innocent and the blameless will find in Him shelter (12–14).

Psalm 139:3. they devise evil in their heart, every day they array themselves for battle, “Every day they array themselves for battle” – they spend each day in enmity toward me and persecutions through schemes.

Psalm 139:4. they sharpen their tongue like a serpent; the venom of an asp is under their lips. An indication of the means that David’s enemies employed against him. They stirred up the people against him through slander and flattering ingratiation toward him.

Psalm 139:8. O Lord, O Lord, the strength of my salvation! You covered my head in the day of battle. “The strength of my salvation” – in You is my strength; only from You, and not from man, do I await help and protection. “To cover the head... in the day of battle” – to protect from the stroke of the enemy, to save.

Psalm 139:9. Do not grant, O Lord, the desire of the wicked; do not let the success of his evil plot: they shall exalt themselves. Since my enemies do evil, let the latter cover their heads, that is, let my enemies bear what they deserve: as my righteousness shall appear to me as protection from them, so let their evil deeds destroy them.

Psalm 139:12. A man of evil tongue shall not be established on the earth; evil shall hunt the oppressor to destruction. David’s faith in the destruction of his enemies rests on faith in the triumph of righteousness: evil cannot be rewarded by God, and therefore my evil-tongued enemies will surely perish.

Psalm 139:14. So! the righteous shall praise Your name; the blameless shall dwell in Your presence. “To dwell in the presence” of the Lord means either to always enjoy His protection, as if living under the roof of His dwelling, or – to give thanks to Him for the protection afforded, through prayer before the place of His dwelling, before the Ark of the Covenant, in His tabernacle.