Bible Commentaries
Psalms 35

Verse 1

Plead = Contend, or strive. Note the Figure of speech Exergasia ( App-6 ) in the words "plead", "fight", "take hold", "stand up", "draw out", "stop", "say", &c.; continued in verses: Psalms 35:4 , Psalms 35:5 . Psalm probably written during and concerning the times of 1Sa 21:24 , 1Sa 21:26-27 , but it relates also to David's Son and David's Lord, the Messiah, in view of Psalms 22:0 . See the Structure on p. 721. Compare especially verses: Psalms 35:15-21 with Matthew 26:67 . Mark 14:65 .Luke 22:63 .

them that strive = my contenders.

Fight = make war.

Verse 2

shield, &c. Figure of speech Anthropopatheia.

Verse 3

stop = close up. Some render "battle axe" or "barricade".

persecute = pursue.

my soul = me (emph.) Hebrew. nephesh.

Verse 5

wind. Hebrew. ruach.

the angel of the LORD. See note on Psalms 34:7 .

Verse 7

without cause. See note on Psalms 35:19 .

net in a pit: i.e. a pit covered with a net.

Verse 10

All my bones = all the members of my body. Interpretation belongs to the speaker. The Application belongs (1) to the O.T. saints (Psalms 139:13-16 ), and (2) to the later members referred to in Ephesians 1:22 , Ephesians 1:23 ; Ephesians 2:21 ; Ephesians 4:4-16 . Note their experiences: Psalms 6:2 (vexed); Psalms 22:14 (out of joint); but "not broken" (Psalms 34:20 John 19:36 . Exodus 12:46 ); His heart broken (Psalms 69:20 ); so our hearts (Psalms 34:18 ); but not ourselves (John 10:27-29 ).

say. They speak: and always of HIM. Figure of speech Prosopopoeia , for emphasis. They all and always confess Christ as LORD (1 Corinthians 12:3 . 1 Peter 3:15 ).

who is like . . . ? Figure of speech Erotesis ( App-6 ), for greater emphasis. Compare their words (Psalms 71:19 ; Psalms 73:25 ; Psalms 89:6 . 1 Samuel 2:2 .Deuteronomy 33:26 , Deuteronomy 33:27 ).

deliverest = rescuest. Compare 2 Timothy 4:18 . 2 Peter 2:9 .

poor = oppressed. Compare Psalms 34:6 .

too strong. Law too strong (Galatians 1:3 , Galatians 1:10 , Galatians 1:13 ); sin too strong (Romans 5:21 ); the world too strong (John 16:33 ); self too strong (Romans 7:24 ); death too strong (2 Timothy 1:10 ).

Verse 11

False witnesses . "Many of them". Compare Matthew 26:60 , Matthew 26:61 ; Matthew 27:40 . Mark 14:55-59 .

Verse 12

evil. Hebrew. ra'a . App-44 .

spoiling = bereaving.

Verse 13

clothing, &c. Figure of speech Metonymy (of Adjunct), App-6 , put, by Symbol, for feelings of sorrow.

with fasting = in the Fast: i.e. on the great Day of Atonement (Leviticus 16:0 )

Verse 15

adversity = halting or falling. Compare Psalms 38:17 . Jeremiah 20:10 .

abjects = outcasts.

it. Supply Ellipsis ( App-6 ), by reading "[them]".

tear me. Hebrew. kar'u (with Ayin = '). Spelled with Aleph ( kar'u) ; it means "cry out". See note on Isaiah 11:4 .

Verse 16

hypocritical mockers in feasts. Figure of speech Ellipsis (of Repetition) = "hypocrites [at feasts] mocking at the feast". App-6 .

Verse 17

LORD*. The primitive text was Jehovah. App-4 . Altered to "Adonai" by the Sopherim. See App-32 .

My darling = My only one. See note on Psalms 22:20 .

from the lions. Compare Psalms 22:13 , Psalms 22:16 .

Verse 18

congregation = assembly, or convocation.

much = mighty.

Verse 19

that hate me. Quoted in John 15:25 .

without a cause. Note the same Greek word there ( dorean ) as in Romans 3:24 , rendered "freely", but meaning "without a cause". Compare Psalms 35:7 , and Psalms 69:4 ; Psalms 109:3 .

Verse 20

deceitful matters. Hebrew "words of frauds".

Verse 21

opened their mouth. Implying contempt.

Aha, aha. Figure of speech Epizeuxis ( App-6 ), for emphasis. See Psalms 40:15 ; Psalms 70:3 . Compare Mark 15:29 .

hath seen. Implying delight in so doing.

Verse 22

Thou hast seen. Another eye has seen.

Verse 23

judgment = vindication.

my God and my Lord. Compare John 20:28 .

God. Hebrew. Elohim. App-4 .

Lord. Hebrew Adonai. App-4 .

Verse 24

Judge = Vindicate.

Verse 25

we = our soul. Hebrew. nephesh. App-13 :. we have our great desire at last.

Verse 26

clothed with shame. Compare Psalms 109:29 ; Psalms 132:18 .

Verse 27

my righteous cause = my justification.

Verse 28

To the chief Musician. See App-64 .