When, therefore, this whole that we are, and this all that we do, are not our own wisdom or doing, but God’s; and since we cannot comprehend these earthly things; since, I say, we neither can know nor do any one of these earthly and corporal things, as of ourselves; how awful a sin is that enormous arrogance, whereby we profess that we have so much power in ourselves and in our free-will, that we can understand God, and do his divine and spiritual works, and deliver ourselves from sin, and death, and hell. Wherefore (ver. 20.) the Psalmist utters his holy indignation against such hypocrites and teachers of human works and doings; saying, “Thine enemies speak blasphemously against thee, O Lord, and they are proud and lifted up against thee without cause. Guard thou me, and prove and try me, that I may continue in the right way; the way that is true and eternal;” that is, in the way of the knowledge of the word of thy grace. PSALM CXL. _David prayeth to be delivered from Saul and Doeg.—He prayeth against them.—He comforteth himself by confidence in God._ To the chief Musician. A Psalm of David. Deliver me, O LORD, from the evil man: preserve me from the violent man; Which imagine mischiefs in _their_ heart: continually are they gathered together _for_ war. They have sharpened their tongues like a serpent; adders’ poison _is_ under their lips. Selah. Keep me, O LORD, from the hands of the wicked; preserve me from the violent man, who have purposed to overthrow my goings. The proud have hid a snare for me, and cords: they have spread a net by the way-side: they have set gins for me. Selah. I said unto the LORD, Thou _art_ my God: hear the voice of my supplications, O LORD. O GOD the LORD, the strength of my salvation; thou hast covered my head in the day of battle. Grant not, O LORD, the desires of the wicked; further not his wicked device, _lest_ they exalt themselves. Selah. _As for_ the head of those that compass me about, let the mischief of their own lips cover them. Let burning coals fall upon them: let them be cast into the fire; into deep pits, that they rise not up again. Let not an evil speaker be established in the earth: evil shall hunt the violent man to overthrow _him_. I know that the LORD will maintain the cause of the afflicted, _and_ the right of the poor. Surely the righteous shall give thanks unto thy name; the upright shall dwell in thy presence. This Psalm is an ardent prayer against those hypocrites, who not only cause many offences, and lay many nets and snares for them that go on the right way, but proceed with terrible threats and unceasing cruelty against all who will not approve and follow their errors and wicked ways.