The Book of Psalms
Psalm 35
Psalm XXXV · Vol. II, pp. 1006–1008
1 David prayeth for his own safety, and his enemies' confusion. 11 He complaineth of their wrongful dealing. 22 Thereby he inciteth God against them.
A psalm of David.
1 Plead amy cause, O LORD, with them that strive with me; fight against them that fight against me.1
B.C. cir. 1056.
a Ps.9.4; 7.6,8; 43.1; 119.154. La.3.58. Je.51.36. Mi.7.9,10.
1 In this psalm the writer evidently records the result of a painful experience in regard to the treatment he had received from men. They had professed great friendship and devoted attachment in time of prosperity, but when adversity, suffering, and sorrow came upon him, they not only deserted him, but they rejoiced in his very calamities. So is it often in the world. The faithlessness and ingratitude of men led the psalmist to a faithful and loving God, in whom he found a true friend and an omnipotent defender and benefacter.—P.
2 Take hold of shield and buckler, and stand up for mine help.2
2 Exert thy power and wisdom in protecting me and destroying mine enemies.
3 Draw out also the spear, and stop the way against them that persecute me: bsay unto my soul, I am thy salvation.
4 Let cthem be confounded and put to shame that seek after my soul: let them be turned back and brought to confusion that devise my hurt.
6 Let their way be dark and slippery:3 and let the angel of the LORD persecute them.
3 Heb. darkness and slipperiness.
7 Forg without cause have they hid for me their net in a pit, which without cause they have digged for my soul.
8 Leth destruction come upon him at unawares;4 and ilet his net that he hath hid catch himself: into that very destruction let him fall:
h 1 Th.5.3. Ps.73.18,19,23;64.7;58.7-9.
4 Heb. which he knoweth not of.
i Ps.7.15,16; 9.15,16. Pr.5.22.
10 Allk my bones5 shall say, LORD, who is like unto thee, which ldeliverest the poor from him that is too strong for him, yea, the poor and the needy from him that spoileth him?
13 Butp as for me, when they were sick, my clothing was sackcloth: I humbled9 my soul with fasting; and my prayer qreturned1 into mine own bosom.
14 I behaved2 myself as though he had been my friend3 or brother:4 I bowed down heavily, as one that mourneth for his mother.
2 Heb. walked.
3 Heb. as a friend, as a brother to me.
4 A special reference to Judas the betrayer as a type and representative of others. See Ac.1.16.—C.
15 But in mine radversity sthey rejoiced, and gathered themselves together: yea, the 5abjects gathered themselves together against me, and I knew it not;6 they did tear me, and ceased not:
r Heb. halting, Ps.38.17. Je.20.10.
s Job 30.1,8,12. Ps.3.2; 41.5-9; 56.5,6; 57.4; 64.2-6; 109.2,3; 140.2,3; 102.8. Eze.25.3,15.
5 Abjects—smiters, vilifiers.—C.
6 Knew it not—I took no notice of it. There is an occasional use of the expression, Is.42.19,20; 55.5. Mat.7.23.—C.
17 LORD,v how long wilt thou look on? xrescue my soul from their destructions, my 7darling8 from the lions.
18 Iy will give thee thanks in the great congregation: I will praise thee among 9much people.
y Ps.22.22,25;40.9,10;116.14,16-19;109.30. Is.xii.xxv.
9 Heb. strong.
19 Let not them that are mine enemies wrongfully1 rejoice over me: neither let zthem wink with the eye that hate ame without a cause.
20 Forb they speak not peace: cbut they devise deceitful matters against them that are quiet in the land.
b Ps.120.6,7; 57.4. Pr.1.16;4.16.
c Mat.12.24.
25 Let them not say in their hearts, Ah, so would we have it:2 let them not say, We have swallowed him up.
26 Letk them be ashamed and brought to confusion together that rejoice at mine hurt: let them be clothed with shame and dishonour that lmagnify themselves against me.
27 Letn them shout for joy, and be glad, that favour my righteous cause:3 yea, olet them say continually, Let the LORD be magnified, pwhich hath pleasure in the prosperity of his servant.
n Ps.40.16; 142.7; 34.1,2. 1 Co.12.26.
3 Heb. my righteousness.
o Ps.70.4.
p Ps.149.4. Je.32.40,41. Zep.3.17. Is.62.4,5.
28 And qmy tongue shall speak of thy righteousness and of thy praise all the day long.
q Ps.34.1; 50.14; 57.7-9; 71.8,14-24; 109.30; 104.33,34;145.1,2,5,21.
Notes
Ver. 1. The speaker in this psalm is one; and the interpretation must depend upon discovering who he is. Compare therefore ver. 19 with Jn. 15. 25, and the speaker is found to be Christ. And never lived there another who could say, 'They hated me without a cause.' See also ver. 7. C.
Ver. 8. But if the speaker be Christ, how can he thus pray against his enemies, seeing that he teaches us to love and to pray for them? This is a question originating in great inattention to 'things that differ,' Phi. 1. 10. For (1) does not this prayer detail what God in judgment will do? And can there be any reason against praying him to do his own will? But (2) can any one neglect to pray that Satan's kingdom may be destroyed? And what is there in these words but a prayer for God's righteous judgment upon Satan's causeless enmity? C.
Ver. 13. Sick. Sin is a sickness of the soul, a sickness unto death, against which no physician but the Conqueror of death can prevail. But such a physician is Jesus, Mat. 9. 12. C.
Ver. 22. O Lord, be not far from me. Distant in space, God can never be; but distant in time his help frequently is. For thus he tries the faith and increases the glory of his servants, and finally magnifies his own grace and salvation. C.
Ver. 24. Here is another evidence that the speaker who prays to be judged in righteousness is no other than Christ the righteous; for every conscious sinner must rather cry for mercy. See also ver. 27. C.
Reflections.—The best of men are often most cruelly persecuted. But a good God to plead their cause, and a good conscience to witness their integrity, are enough to comfort them. And a time is at hand when God will sufficiently recompense all the injuries done to them. However little persecutors see it, their feet stand on a slippery place, and a dreadful pit of ruin is just before them. And though we may not wish evil to our worst enemies, yet we may safely wish confusion to the implacable enemies of Christ and his church. Base ingratitude grievously wounds a generous spirit, when the greatest services meet with an ill requital. But let men use us as they will, it is our duty to pray for them. Though our kindness may be lost upon them, and our prayers slighted by them, they shall not return without a blessing to ourselves. And if we are made the reproach of the meanest, we but fill up what is behind of the sufferings of Christ. But short-lived is the triumphing, fearful and lasting the misery, of those who are enemies to Christ and his people; while ravishing and lasting are the prosperity and joys of the godly in the kind delight and favour of their God! All our comforts come from his hand, through active faith in his Son; and therefore he ought to be praised on their account.