Psalm 140:2 kjv
Which imagine mischiefs in their heart; continually are they gathered together for war.
Psalm 140:2 nkjv
Who plan evil things in their hearts; They continually gather together for war.
Psalm 140:2 niv
who devise evil plans in their hearts and stir up war every day.
Psalm 140:2 esv
who plan evil things in their heart and stir up wars continually.
Psalm 140:2 nlt
those who plot evil in their hearts
and stir up trouble all day long.
Psalm 140 2 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Gen 6:5 | The LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great... every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. | Heart source of continual evil. |
| Prov 6:14 | with perverted heart devises evil, continually sowing discord. | Devising evil in heart, continual malicious intent. |
| Prov 6:18 | a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that make haste to run to evil, | Wicked plans from the heart. |
| Matt 15:19 | For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, fornication, theft, false witness, slander. | Heart is origin of evil thoughts. |
| Mark 7:21 | For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications... | Inner heart as source of evil. |
| Jer 17:9 | The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it? | Heart's inherent deceit and sickness. |
| Prov 16:30 | He who winks his eyes plans deceitful things; he who compresses his lips brings evil to pass. | Plotting evil actions. |
| Ps 21:11 | Though they plan evil against you, though they devise mischief, they will not succeed. | Enemies devising evil plans. |
| Ps 36:4 | He devises mischief while on his bed; he sets himself on a way that is not good; he does not abhor evil. | Secret plotting of evil. |
| Mic 2:1 | Woe to those who devise wickedness and work evil on their beds! When the morning dawns, they perform it... | Deliberate plotting leading to action. |
| Isa 32:7 | The schemes of the scoundrel are evil; he devises wicked devices to destroy the poor with lying words... | Devising wicked schemes against others. |
| Isa 59:4 | They conceive mischief and bring forth iniquity. | Conception of mischief leading to sin. |
| Rom 1:28-32 | Filled with all unrighteousness, wickedness, covetousness, malice... inventors of evil, disobedient to parents... | Inventory of widespread malice and evil invention. |
| Rom 13:3-4 | For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do what is good... | God's justice against those who do evil. |
| 1 Sam 23:9-10 | David knew that Saul was plotting harm against him... | Specific example of an enemy plotting harm. |
| Ps 56:6 | They stir up strife; they lie in wait; they watch my steps, as they have waited for my life. | Enemies conspiring and lying in wait. |
| Ps 59:3 | For behold, they lie in wait for my life; fierce men stir up themselves against me... | Fierce men actively stirring up hostility. |
| Acts 23:12 | When it was day, some of the Jews made a plot and bound themselves by an oath neither to eat nor drink until they had killed Paul. | A plot, gathering with intent to kill. |
| Ps 83:3-5 | They lay secret plans against your people... "Come," they say, "let us cut them off from being a nation..." | Conspiratorial gathering for destruction. |
| 2 Sam 10:5 | The men were greatly ashamed... when David was told, he sent to meet them, for the men were greatly ashamed... | Example of preparation for battle/gathering forces. |
| Num 22:2-4 | Balak... Moab... saw all that Israel had done... Then Moab was in great dread of the people... Moab consulted with the elders of Midian. | Enemies gathering/consulting against Israel. |
| Josh 10:3 | therefore King Adoni-zedek of Jerusalem sent to Hoham king of Hebron, to Piram king of Jarmuth, to Japhia king of Lachish, and to Debir king of Eglon, saying, "Come up to me and help me..." | Coalition of kings gathering for war. |
| 1 Pet 5:8 | Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. | Spiritual enemy always seeking to harm. |
| John 18:28 | Then they led Jesus from the house of Caiaphas to the Praetorium... | Enemies gathering against Jesus to crucify him. |
Psalm 140 verses
Psalm 140 2 Meaning
Psalm 140:2 describes the enemies of the psalmist as those who harbor malicious intentions deep within their inner being, actively planning and conceiving evil schemes. This internal deliberation then manifests externally, as they persistently gather together with a clear and malevolent purpose of engaging in conflict or inflicting harm. The verse portrays a dangerous progression from private, hidden wickedness of the heart to organized, outward aggression.
Psalm 140 2 Context
Psalm 140 is a fervent prayer of David, a lament and imprecation seeking divine protection and deliverance from dangerous enemies. It falls into the category of individual lament psalms. David cries out to the Lord because he is beset by evil, violent, and deceitful individuals who actively seek his downfall. Verse 2 specifically describes the insidious nature of these adversaries: their internal premeditated malice and their persistent, outward coalition for hostile purposes. This sets the stage for David's detailed description of their wickedness (their sharp tongues like snakes, their hidden snares) in subsequent verses, justifying his plea for God's swift judgment against them. Historically, this reflects the numerous times David faced plots from Saul, his own son Absalom, treacherous advisors, or foreign enemies, where both secret plots and open hostilities were a constant threat to his life and reign.
Psalm 140 2 Word analysis
- "which imagine": Hebrew ḥašābū (חשבו). From the root ḥāšab (חשב), meaning "to think, plan, devise, invent, scheme." The Piel form used here emphasizes the deliberate, intensive, and often malicious nature of the thought process. It is not a casual thought but a carefully cultivated, active design. It signifies intentionality and premeditation.
- "mischiefs": Hebrew rā‘ōt (רָעוֹת). Plural of ra’ (רָע), which means "evil, wickedness, adversity, disaster, calamity." This refers to concrete harms or disasters that are devised. It's not just abstract evil, but specific actions designed to bring ruin or suffering to the psalmist.
- "in their heart": Hebrew bi-lǝḇāḇām (בְּלִבָּם). The "heart" (lēḇ) in Hebrew thought is not merely the seat of emotions but the core of a person's being—the center of intellect, will, reason, and moral choice. Thus, these evil plans are deeply ingrained, coming from the very essence of their person, indicating profound wickedness and commitment to harm.
- "which imagine mischiefs in their heart": This phrase highlights the origin of evil. It is not merely external pressure or reaction, but an internal, premeditated, and deeply rooted evil intent. The thought processes themselves are corrupt and directed towards producing harm. This underscores the deceptive and hidden nature of their initial threat before it becomes overt.
- "continually": Hebrew kol-yôm (כָּל־יוֹם). Literally "all the day" or "every day." It denotes persistence, relentlessness, and constancy. Their plotting and gathering are not occasional occurrences but a pervasive, unceasing aspect of their hostile activity. It signifies a sustained campaign of enmity.
- "are they gathered together": Hebrew yagūrū (יָגוּרוּ). From the root gūr (גור), which can mean "to sojourn, dwell, stir up, gather for war." In this context, it conveys the idea of conspiring, massing, or assembling with hostile intent. It indicates a coalition or formation of a unified front.
- "for war": Hebrew milḥāmâ (מִלְחָמָה). This term specifically means "war, battle, fight, conflict." It clearly states the ultimate objective of their gathering and plotting. Their internal designs are geared towards active aggression and direct confrontation, whether physical battle or any severe conflict aimed at overthrowing or destroying the psalmist.
Psalm 140 2 Bonus section
The progressive nature of the enemy's evil in this verse is highly significant: it moves from inner conceptualization (ḥāšab - imagine/devise) to active externalization (gūr - gather) aimed at open conflict (milḥāmâ - war). This illustrates a biblical principle seen elsewhere: that the true wellspring of actions, whether good or evil, lies within the heart and mind before manifesting in the world. The "continual" aspect adds to the severity, suggesting a dedicated, relentless pursuit of their destructive agenda against the psalmist, mirroring perhaps the spiritual battle that believers face from unseen forces as well as human adversaries who operate under their influence. The psalmist here is not merely experiencing random attacks, but a targeted campaign born of deliberate, inner malice.
Psalm 140 2 Commentary
Psalm 140:2 unmasks the dual nature of the psalmist's enemies: their internal wickedness and their external mobilization. First, their depravity is shown to originate not from accidental action, but from deep-seated, deliberate thought. "Imagining mischiefs in their heart" points to careful, malicious planning from the very core of their being, implying calculation and intent to cause harm. This goes beyond impulsive sin; it speaks of a mind bent on evil, systematically designing destruction. This internal evil, however, does not remain hidden. It finds expression in persistent, coordinated action. The phrase "continually are they gathered together for war" depicts relentless collaboration and assembly for the purpose of conflict. This transition from inner deliberation to outer aggression makes the threat palpable and constant. David's prayer reflects the experience of those facing calculated and ongoing opposition, where enemies not only wish them ill but actively conspire and prepare to execute their malevolent designs. The verse thus emphasizes the pervasive nature of evil against the righteous, starting in the heart and culminating in concerted hostile action. It underscores why the psalmist urgently seeks God's intervention, as human cunning and strength are no match for such persistent, malicious schemes.