Bible Commentaries
Psalms 35

Introduction

PSALM 35

:-. The Psalmist invokes God's aid, contrasting the hypocrisy, cunning, and malice of his enemies with his integrity and generosity. The imprecations of the first part including a brief notice of their conduct, the fuller exposition of their hypocrisy and malice in the second, and the earnest prayer for deliverance from their scornful triumph in the last, are each closed (Psalms 35:9; Psalms 35:10; Psalms 35:18; Psalms 35:27; Psalms 35:28) with promises of praise for the desired relief, in which his friends will unite. The historical occasion is probably Psalms 35:28- :.

Verse 1

1-3. God is invoked in the character of a warrior (Exodus 15:3; Deuteronomy 32:41).

Verse 3

3. fight against—literally, "devour my devourers."

stop the way against—literally, "shut up" (the way), to meet or oppose, &c.

I . . . thy salvation—who saves thee.

Verse 4

4. (Compare :-).

devise my hurt—purpose for evil to me.

Verse 5

5, 6. (Compare :-) —a terrible fate; driven by wind on a slippery path in darkness, and hotly pursued by supernatural violence (2 Samuel 24:16; Acts 12:23).

Verse 7

7, 8. net in a pit—or, "pit of their net"—or, "net-pit," as "holy hill" for "hill of holiness" ( :-); a figure from hunting ( :-). Their imprecations on impenitent rebels against God need no vindication; His justice and wrath are for such; His mercy for penitents. Compare Psalms 7:16; Psalms 11:5, on the peculiar fate of the wicked here noticed.

Verse 10

10. All my bones—every part.

him that spoileth him—(Compare Psalms 10:2).

Verse 11

11. False witnesses—literally, "Witnesses of injustice and cruelty" (compare Psalms 11:5; Psalms 25:19).

Verse 12

12-14. Though they rendered evil for good, he showed a tender sympathy in their affliction.

spoiling—literally, "bereavement." The usual modes of showing grief are made, as figures, to express his sorrow.

Verse 13

13. prayer . . . bosom—may denote either the posture—the head bowed—(compare :-) —or, that the prayer was in secret. Some think there is a reference to the result—the prayer would benefit him if not them.

Verse 14

14. behaved—literally, "went on"—denoting his habit.

heavily—or, "squalidly," his sorrowing occasioning neglect of his person. Altogether, his grief was that of one for a dearly loved relative.

Verse 15

15, 16. On the contrary, they rejoiced in his affliction. Halting, or, "lameness," as in Psalms 38:17 for any distress.

abjects—either as cripples (compare 2 Samuel 4:4), contemptible; or, degraded persons, such as had been beaten (compare Job 30:1-8).

I knew it not—either the persons, or, reasons of such conduct.

tear me, and ceased not—literally, "were not silent"—showing that the tearing meant slandering.

Verse 16

16. mockers—who were hired to make sport at feasts (Proverbs 28:21).

Verse 17

17. darling—(Compare Psalms 22:20; Psalms 22:21).

Verse 18

18. (Compare :-).

Verse 19

19. enemies wrongfully—by false and slanderous imputations.

wink with the eye—an insulting gesture (Proverbs 6:13).

without a cause—manifests more malice than having a wrong cause.

Verse 20

20. deceitful matters—or, "words of deceit."

quiet in the land—the pious lovers of peace.

Verse 21

21. On the gesture compare :-; and on the expressions of malicious triumph, compare Psalms 10:13; Psalms 28:3.

Verse 23

23, 24. (Compare Psalms 7:6; Psalms 26:1; 2 Thessalonians 1:6). God's righteous government is the hope of the pious and terror of the wicked.

Verse 25

25. swallowed him up—utterly destroyed him (Psalms 21:9; Lamentations 2:16).

Verse 26

26. clothed—covered wholly (Job 8:22).

Verse 27

27. favour . . . cause—delight in it, as vindicated by Thee.

Let the Lord, &c.—Let Him be greatly praised for His care of the just.

Verse 28

28. In this praise of God's equitable government (Psalms 5:8) the writer promises ever to engage.