8 Grant not, O Lord, the desires of the wicked; do not further his evil plot! [Selah] 9 Those who surround me lift up their head, let the mischief of their lips overwhelm them! 10 Let burning coals fall upon them! Let them be cast into pits, no more to rise! 11 Let not the slanderer be established in the land; let evil hunt down the violent man speedily! 12 I know that the Lord maintains the cause of the afflicted, and executes justice for the needy. 13 Surely the righteous shall give thanks to thy name; the upright shall dwell in thy presence.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Psalm 140:8-13
Commentary on Psalm 140:8-13
(Read Psalm 140:8-13)
Believers may pray that God would not grant the desires of the wicked, nor further their evil devices. False accusers will bring mischief upon themselves, even the burning coals of Divine vengeance. And surely the righteous shall dwell in God's presence, and give him thanks for evermore. This is true thanksgiving, even thanks-living: this use we should make of all our deliverances, we should serve God the more closely and cheerfully. Those who, though evil spoken of and ill-used by men, are righteous in the sight of God, being justified by the righteousness of Christ, which is imputed to them, and received by faith, as the effect of which, they live soberly and righteously; these give thanks to the Lord, for the righteousness whereby they are made righteous, and for every blessing of grace, and mercy of life.