(8) Desires.--The form of the Hebrew word is anomalous, but the meaning certain. The LXX. and Vulg. give the first clause thus: "Give me not over to the enemy, by reason of their own desire;" which may possibly have been in St. Paul's mind in Romans 1:24. Further not.--The text of this clause has undoubtedly suffered. The Authorised Version follows the LXX. and Vulg. in inserting a negative before the last word. These versions also take the word rendered "wicked devices" as a verb, not finding a noun of the form anywhere else: "They have plotted against me: desert me not, lest they exalt themselves." So also Symmachus, and another Greek version quoted by Origen. As the text at present stands, we must render: his plot do not further--they lift up. Looking on to the next verse, "the head of those surrounding me," the suggestion at once arises that the verb lift up properly belongs to this clause: "His plot do not further. They lift the head, these surrounding me." This arrangement disregards the "selah." and also obliges us to suspect that a clause has dropped cut after the first clause of Psalm 140:9--a suspicion confirmed by the rhythm.[20] [20] Mr. Burgess amends to "Further not his plot to his exaltation." further not his wicked device: or, "let not his wicked device come forth" (l), or proceed to execution, or be brought to perfection; let him be disappointed in it, that he may not be able to perform his enterprise, or execute his designs; which cannot be done without the divine permission. The Rabbins, as Jarchi and others, render it, "let not his bridle come out" (m); the bridle out of his jaws, with which he was held by the Lord, and restrained from doing his will; let him not be left to his liberty, and freed from the restraints of divine Providence; see Isaiah 37:29; lest they exalt themselves. Grow proud, haughty, and insolent to God and man; see Deuteronomy 32:27. Or, "let them not be exalted" (n); upon the ruin of me and my friends. Selah; on this word; see Gill on Psalm 3:2. (l) "ne facias prodire", Vatablus; "ne sinas exire", Cocceius, Michaelis. (m) "Vel frenum ejus ne sinas exire", Cocceius. (n) "ne exaltentur", Vatablus, Gejerus. |