PSALM XXXV _The psalmist, in great straits, prays for his personal safety_, 1-3; _and for the confusion of his enemies_, 4-8; _expresses has confidence in God_, 9, 10; _mentions his kindness to those who had rewarded him evil for_ _his good_, 11-16; _appeals to God against them_, 17-26; _pra... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 35:2. _TAKE HOLD OF SHIELD AND BUCKLER_] Let them be discomfited in battle who are striving to destroy my life. It is by the _shield_ and _buckler_ of _others_, not any of his _own_, that God overthrows the enemies of his people. This is spoken merely after the manner of men.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 35:3. _SAY UNTO MY SOUL, I_ AM _THY SALVATION._] Give me an assurance that thou wilt defend both body and soul against my adversaries.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 35:4. _LET THEN BE CONFOUNDED_] Let none of their projects or devices against me succeed. Blast all their designs. The _imprecations_ in these verses against enemies are all _legitimate_. They are not against the _souls_ or _eternal welfare_ of those sinners, but against their _scheme... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 35:5. _LET THE ANGEL OF THE LORD CHASE_ THEM.] By _angel_ we may either understand one of those _spirits_, whether good or bad, commonly thus denominated, or _any thing_ used by God himself as the instrument of their confusion.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 35:6. _LET THEIR WAY BE DARK_] Let them lose their way, be entangled in morasses and thickets, and be confounded in all their attempts to injure me. All these phrases are _military_; and relate to _ambushes, hidden snares, forced marches_ in order to _surprise_, and _stratagems_ of diff... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 35:7. _FOR WITHOUT CAUSE HAVE THEY HID FOR ME THEIR NET_ IN _A_ _PIT_] The word שחת _shachath_, a _pit_, belongs to the second member of this verse, and the whole should be read thus: For without a cause they have hidden for me their net, without a cause they have digged a _pit_ for my... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 35:8. _LET HIS NET THAT HE HATH HID_] See the notes on Psalms 7:15; Psalms 7:16.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 35:9. _MY SOUL_] My life, thus saved - _SHALL BE JOYFUL IN THE LORD_] I am so circumstanced at present as to be in the utmost danger of being destroyed by my foes; if I escape, it must be by the strong arm of the Lord; and to him shall the glory be given.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 35:10. _ALL MY BONES SHALL SAY_] My life being preserved, all the members of my body shall magnify thy saving mercy. _DELIVEREST THE POOR_] This is a general maxim: God is peculiarly mindful of the poor. Where secular advantages are withheld, there is the more need for spiritual help.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 35:11. _FALSE WITNESSES DID RISE UP_] There is no doubt that several of this kind were found to depose against the life of David; and we know that the wicked Jews employed such against the life of Christ. See Matthew 26:59-40. _THEY LAID TO MY CHARGE_ THINGS _THAT I KNEW NOT._] They pr... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 35:12. TO _THE SPOILING OF MY SOUL_] _To destroy my life_; so נפש _nephesh_ should be translated in a multitude of places, where our translators have used the word _soul_.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 35:13. _WHEN THEY WERE SICK_] This might refer to the case of Absalom, who was much beloved of his father, and for whose life and prosperity he no doubt often prayed, wept, and fasted. _MY PRAYER RETURNED INTO MINE OWN BOSOM._] Though from the wayward and profligate life they led, they... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 35:14. _MOURNETH_ FOR HIS _MOTHER._] כאבל אם _caabel em_, as a mourning mother. How expressive is this word!... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 35:15. _BUT IN MINE ADVERSITY THEY REJOICED_] How David was mocked and insulted in the case of Absalom's rebellion by Shimei and others, is well known. _THE ABJECTS_] נכים _nechim_, the _smiters_, probably hired assassins. They were everywhere lying in wait, to take away my life.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 35:16. _WITH HYPOCRITICAL MOCKERS IN FEASTS_] These verses seem to be prophetic of the treatment of Christ. _They did tear me, and_ _I knew it not_. They blindfolded and buffeted him; they placed him in such circumstances as not to be able to discern who insulted him, except by a supern... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 35:17. _MY DARLING_] יחידתי _yechidathi, my only one_, Psalms 22:20. _My united one_, or _He that is alone_. Perhaps this may relate to Christ. Psalms 22:20.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 35:18. _I WILL GIVE THEE THANKS IN THE GREAT CONGREGATION_] I hope to be able to attend at the tabernacle with thy followers, and there publicly express my gratitude for the deliverance thou hast given me.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 35:19. _THAT ARE MINE ENEMIES_] Saul and his courtiers.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 35:21. _THEY OPENED THEIR MOUTH WIDE_] Gaped upon me to express their contempt. AND _SAID, AHA, AHA, OUR EYE HATH SEEN_ IT.] They said, האח האח _heach, heach_, the last syllable in each word being a protracted strongly guttural sound, marking insult and triumph at the same time. It is... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 35:22. THIS _THOU HAST SEEN_] I have no need to adduce evidences of these wrongs; thou, to whom I appeal, hast seen them. Therefore,... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 35:23. _STIR UP THYSELF, AND AWAKE TO MY JUDGMENT_] I have delivered my cause into thy hand, and appeal to thee as my Judge; and by thy decision I am most willing to abide.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 35:24. _JUDGE ME, O LORD MY GOD_] The manner of his appeal shows the strong confidence he had in his own innocence.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 35:25. _SWALLOWED HIM UP._] בלענוהו _billaanuhu, we have gulped_ _him down_.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 35:26. _LET THEM BE ASHAMED_] This may be a prophetic declaration against Saul and his courtiers. They were ashamed, confounded, clothed with shame, and dishonoured. All these took place in Saul's last battle with the Philistines, where he lost his crown and his life, and came to a most... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 35:27. _LET THEM SHOUT FOR JOY AND BE GLAD_] While my enemies are confounded, let my friends exult in the Lord; and let them all praise him for his marvellous kindness to me.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 35:28. _AND MY TONGUE SHALL SPEAK_] I, who am chiefly concerned, and who have received most, am under the greatest obligation; and it will require the constant gratitude and obedience of my whole life to discharge the mighty debt I owe. ANALYSIS OF THE THIRTY-FIFTH PSALM This Psalm m... [ Continue Reading ]