Worthy.Bible » STRONG » Psalms » Chapter 35 » Verse 1-8

Psalms 35:1-8 King James Version with Strong's Concordance (STRONG)

1 [[A Psalm of David.]] H1732 Plead H7378 my cause, O LORD, H3068 with them that strive H3401 with me: fight H3898 against them that fight H3898 against me.

2 Take hold H2388 of shield H4043 and buckler, H6793 and stand up H6965 for mine help. H5833

3 Draw out H7324 also the spear, H2595 and stop H5462 the way against H7125 them that persecute H7291 me: say H559 unto my soul, H5315 I am thy salvation. H3444

4 Let them be confounded H954 and put to shame H3637 that seek H1245 after my soul: H5315 let them be turned H5472 back H268 and brought to confusion H2659 that devise H2803 my hurt. H7451

5 Let them be as chaff H4671 before H6440 the wind: H7307 and let the angel H4397 of the LORD H3068 chase H1760 them.

6 Let their way H1870 be dark H2822 and slippery: H2519 and let the angel H4397 of the LORD H3068 persecute H7291 them.

7 For without cause H2600 have they hid H2934 for me their net H7568 in a pit, H7845 which without cause H2600 they have digged H2658 for my soul. H5315

8 Let destruction H7722 come H935 upon him at unawares; H3045 H3808 and let his net H7568 that he hath hid H2934 catch H3920 himself: into that very destruction H7722 let him fall. H5307

Commentary on Psalms 35 Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible


PSALM 35

Ps 35:1-28. 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 (Ps 35:9, 10, 18, 27, 28) with promises of praise for the desired relief, in which his friends will unite. The historical occasion is probably 1Sa 24:1-22.

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

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.

4. (Compare Ps 9:17).

devise my hurt—purpose for evil to me.

5, 6. (Compare Ps 1:4)—a terrible fate; driven by wind on a slippery path in darkness, and hotly pursued by supernatural violence (2Sa 24:16; Ac 12:23).

7, 8. net in a pit—or, "pit of their net"—or, "net-pit," as "holy hill" for "hill of holiness" (Ps 2:6); a figure from hunting (Ps 7:15). Their imprecations on impenitent rebels against God need no vindication; His justice and wrath are for such; His mercy for penitents. Compare Ps 7:16; 11:5, on the peculiar fate of the wicked here noticed.

10. All my bones—every part.

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

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

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.

13. prayer … bosom—may denote either the posture—the head bowed—(compare 1Ki 18:42)—or, that the prayer was in secret. Some think there is a reference to the result—the prayer would benefit him if not them.

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.

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

abjects—either as cripples (compare 2Sa 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.

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

17. darling—(Compare Ps 22:20, 21).

18. (Compare Ps 22:22).

19. enemies wrongfully—by false and slanderous imputations.

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

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

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

quiet in the land—the pious lovers of peace.

21. On the gesture compare Ps 22:7; and on the expressions of malicious triumph, compare Ps 10:13; 28:3.

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

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

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

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.

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