Psalm 140:11 Study Bible: An evil speaker won't be established in the earth. Evil will hunt the violent man to overthrow him.

◄ Psalm 140:11 ►

May no slanderer be established in the land; may calamity hunt down the man of violence.

May no slanderer be established in the land;
This phrase reflects a plea for justice and truth within the community. In biblical times, slander was a serious offense, as it could destroy reputations and disrupt societal harmony. The land refers to the covenant land given to Israel, emphasizing the need for righteousness among God's people. The call for slanderers not to be established suggests a desire for a society where truth prevails, aligning with the biblical principle that God detests lying lips (Proverbs 12:22). The psalmist's prayer echoes the wisdom literature's emphasis on the power of words and the destructive nature of false testimony (Proverbs 6:16-19).

may calamity hunt down the man of violence.
This part of the verse calls for divine retribution against those who perpetrate violence. The imagery of calamity hunting down the violent man suggests inevitable justice, aligning with the biblical theme that those who sow violence will reap the same (Proverbs 22:8). The historical context of ancient Israel, where violence often led to cycles of vengeance and bloodshed, underscores the need for divine intervention to maintain peace and order. This plea for justice is consistent with the prophetic literature, where God promises to judge the wicked and protect the innocent (Isaiah 11:4). The ultimate fulfillment of justice is seen in the person of Jesus Christ, who embodies peace and will one day establish His kingdom where violence and injustice are no more (Isaiah 9:6-7).

Persons / Places / Events

1. David
Traditionally attributed as the author of Psalm 140, David is expressing a prayer for protection against his enemies and those who speak evil.

2. Slanderers
Individuals who spread false and malicious statements, causing harm to others' reputations.

3. The Land
Refers to the territory of Israel, where David desires righteousness and justice to prevail.

4. Man of Violence
Represents those who use force and aggression to achieve their ends, often causing harm and destruction.

5. Calamity
A divine or natural disaster that David prays will pursue those who commit acts of violence.

Teaching Points

The Power of Words
Words can build up or destroy. As believers, we must be vigilant in our speech, ensuring it aligns with God's truth and love.

Divine Justice
Trust in God's justice rather than seeking personal revenge. God sees and will address the wrongs done by slanderers and violent individuals.

Pursuing Peace
Actively seek peace and reconciliation in your community, standing against slander and violence.

Righteous Living
Strive to live righteously, ensuring that your actions and words reflect God's character and bring glory to Him.

Prayer for Protection
Regularly pray for protection against those who seek to harm through words or actions, trusting in God's deliverance.

Bible Study Questions

1. How can we guard our hearts and tongues against becoming slanderers in our daily interactions?

2. In what ways can we actively pursue peace in our communities, especially when faced with violence or aggression?

3. How does trusting in God's justice change our perspective on dealing with those who wrong us?

4. What practical steps can we take to ensure our words align with the teachings of Jesus, as seen in Matthew 5:9 and James 3:6-10?

5. How can we support and pray for those who are victims of slander and violence, both within and outside our church community?

Connections to Other Scriptures

Proverbs 6:16-19
This passage lists things the Lord hates, including a lying tongue and hands that shed innocent blood, connecting to the themes of slander and violence in Psalm 140:11.

James 3:6-10
Discusses the power of the tongue and the destructive nature of slander, aligning with David's plea against slanderers.

Romans 12:19
Encourages believers to leave vengeance to God, which complements David's prayer for divine justice against the violent.

Matthew 5:9
Jesus' teaching on peacemakers being blessed, contrasting with the man of violence in Psalm 140:11.

1 Peter 3:10
Advises believers to refrain from speaking evil, echoing the desire for no slanderer to be established.

Sermons

God Preserves His Servant		Psalm 140:1-13
Our Adversary and Our Defense	S. Conway	Psalm 140:1-13
The Holy War	C. Short	Psalm 140:1-13
The Intervention of God Sought	R. Tuck	Psalm 140:8-11

People

David, Psalmist

Places

Jerusalem

Topics

Blow, Destruction, Disaster, Established, Evil, Hunt, Hunted, Hunteth, Overflowing, Overtake, Overthrow, Ruin, Safe, Slanderer, Speaker, Speedily, Talkative, Thrust, Tongue, Violence, Violent, Won't

Dictionary of Bible Themes

Psalm 140:11

5342 hunting

Library

Question Lxxxiii of Prayer
I. Is Prayer an Act of the Appetitive Powers? Cardinal Cajetan, On Prayer based on Friendship II. Is it Fitting to Pray? Cardinal Cajetan, On Prayer as a True Cause S. Augustine, On the Sermon on the Mount, II. iii. 14 " On the Gift of Perseverance, vii. 15 III. Is Prayer an Act of the Virtue of Religion? Cardinal Cajetan, On the Humility of Prayer S. Augustine, On Psalm cii. 10 " Of the Gift of Perseverance, xvi. 39 IV. Ought We to Pray to God Alone? S. Augustine, Sermon, cxxvii. 2 V. …
St. Thomas Aquinas—On Prayer and The Contemplative Life

Letter xxvi. (Circa A. D. 1127) to the Same
To the Same He excuses the brevity of his letter on the ground that Lent is a time of silence; and also that on account of his profession and his ignorance he does not dare to assume the function of teaching. 1. You will, perhaps, be angry, or, to speak more gently, will wonder that in place of a longer letter which you had hoped for from me you receive this brief note. But remember what says the wise man, that there is a time for all things under the heaven; both a time to speak and a time to keep …
Saint Bernard of Clairvaux—Some Letters of Saint Bernard, Abbot of Clairvaux

Epistle xviii. To John, Bishop.
To John, Bishop. Gregory to John, Bishop of Constantinople [1586] . At the time when your Fraternity was advanced to Sacerdotal dignity, you remember what peace and concord of the churches you found. But, with what daring or with what swelling of pride I know not, you have attempted to seize upon a new name, whereby the hearts of all your brethren might have come to take offence. I wonder exceedingly at this, since I remember how thou wouldest fain have fled from the episcopal office rather than …
Saint Gregory the Great—the Epistles of Saint Gregory the Great

How the Silent and the Talkative are to be Admonished.
(Admonition 15.) Differently to be admonished are the over-silent, and those who spend time in much speaking. For it ought to be insinuated to the over-silent that while they shun some vices unadvisedly, they are, without its being perceived, implicated in worse. For often from bridling the tongue overmuch they suffer from more grievous loquacity in the heart; so that thoughts seethe the more in the mind from being straitened by the violent guard of indiscreet silence. And for the most part they …
Leo the Great—Writings of Leo the Great

A Discourse of Mercifulness
Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy. Matthew 5:7 These verses, like the stairs of Solomon's temple, cause our ascent to the holy of holies. We are now mounting up a step higher. Blessed are the merciful . . '. There was never more need to preach of mercifulness than in these unmerciful times wherein we live. It is reported in the life of Chrysostom that he preached much on this subject of mercifulness, and for his much pressing Christians to mercy, he was called of many, the alms-preacher, …
Thomas Watson—The Beatitudes: An Exposition of Matthew 5:1-12

Covenanting a Privilege of Believers.
Whatever attainment is made by any as distinguished from the wicked, or whatever gracious benefit is enjoyed, is a spiritual privilege. Adoption into the family of God is of this character. "He came unto his own, and his own received him not. But as many as received him, to them gave he power (margin, or, the right; or, privilege) to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name."[617] And every co-ordinate benefit is essentially so likewise. The evidence besides, that Covenanting …
John Cunningham—The Ordinance of Covenanting

Psalms
The piety of the Old Testament Church is reflected with more clearness and variety in the Psalter than in any other book of the Old Testament. It constitutes the response of the Church to the divine demands of prophecy, and, in a less degree, of law; or, rather, it expresses those emotions and aspirations of the universal heart which lie deeper than any formal demand. It is the speech of the soul face to face with God. Its words are as simple and unaffected as human words can be, for it is the genius …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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