Psalm 140 is an individual lament, where the prayer alternates between petitions and expressions of faith and confidence.
The psalmist faces enemies with evil, violent intentions. These enemies are continually plotting ways to trap him and bring about his downfall, and they launch deadly verbal attacks (vv 2-5).
He prays for protection (v 4) and vindication (vv 9-11). He is confident that his prayer will be answered, God, the divine warrior, will fight his battles and ultimately not allow the wicked to succeed.
The psalmist, in a series of imprecations, asks God to carry out justice and give the enemies what they have earned. He knows that God helps the cause of the the poor and needy, and he anticipates praising God and dwelling in safety in his presence.
The midrash on Psalm 140 focuses on the petition in verse 1: "preserve me from violent men." The word for "preserve" appears elsewhere in Proverbs 4:6, which says about wisdom: "Do not forsake her, and she will guard you." The word appears again in Proverbs 6:20: "My son, keep your father's commandment, and forsake not your mother's teaching." Proverbs 6 goes on to say that when one guards or preserves this teaching, it will preserve or guard that person. The midrash imagines God instructing David, the psalmist, "Is it your desire that I preserve you? Then preserve the Torah."
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