Let their way be dark and slippery ; literally, darkness and slipperiness ; i.e. let them fly along dark and slippery paths, where they cannot see their way, and will be sure to stumble and fall. And let the angel of the Lord persecute them; rather, pursue after them. read more
For without cause have they hid for me their net in a pit; literally, the pit of their net. This is explained by some to mean "the destruction of their net;" by others, "the pit that is covered by a net." But neither explanation is altogether saris-factory. Some therefore suppose an accidental transposition of a word. Which without cause they have digged for my soul . "Without cause" means "without provocation on my part." read more
Let destruction come upon him at unawares ; i.e. let the evil happen to him that he designed against others. As he sought to catch others in traps of which they knew nothing ( Psalms 35:7 ), so let an unexpected destruction come upon him. And let his net that he hath hid catch himself (comp. Psalms 9:15 , Psalms 9:16 ; Psalms 57:6 ; Psalms 141:10 ). It is the perfection of poetic justice when "the engineer" is "hoist by his own petard." Into that very destruction lot him fall ... read more
And my soul shall be joyful in the Lord . A sudden transition from imprecatory prayer to thanksgiving, or rather, to the promise of it—"My soul shall be joyful;" i.e. it shall be so when my prayers have been granted. It shall rejoice in his salvation . "Salvation" here is, no doubt, especially, deliverance from the immediate danger, but, perhaps, even here, not only that (see the comment on Psalms 35:3 ). read more
All my bones shall say, Lord, who is like unto thee? The "bones" here represent, not the frame only, as in Psalms 34:20 , but the entire nature. David promises that his whole nature shall bear witness to God's mercy and goodness, proclaiming that there is "none like unto him" in these respects, none other that can deliver from danger as he can and does. As Hengstenberg observes, "He seeks to make the Lord grant the desired help by promising that the help afforded would yield a rich harvest... read more
False witnesses did rise up; they laid to my charge things that I know not (comp. Psalms 27:12 ); literally, malicious , or unrighteous witnesses (see Exodus 23:1 ). It is not probable that witnesses in a court are intended. David's calumniators accused him privately to Saul of "seeking his hurt" ( 1 Samuel 24:9 ), and so stirred Saul up against him ( 1 Samuel 26:19 ). By what is here said, they appear to have accused him to his face, and to have endeavoured to extort from him a... read more
The second part of the psalm begins with a long complaint, David sets forth the woes under which he is suffering. There are: 1. Calumny ( Psalms 35:11 ). 2. Ingratitude ( Psalms 35:12-14 ). 3. Malevolence ( Psalms 35:15 ). 4. Insult from the vile and base ( Psalms 35:16 ). He then passes to prayer: Will not God rescue him ( Psalms 35:17 )? In conclusion, he for the second time promises praise and thanks ( Psalms 35:18 ). read more
The wicked and the good. The general subject in this section of the psalm is a contrast between the wicked and the good, setting forth the baseness of the wicked nature, and the generous sympathies of the good. I. THE BASENESS OF THE WICKED . Their general characteristics are: 1 . They often bring false malicious charges against good men. ( Psalms 35:11 .) "They demand satisfaction at my hands for injuries of which I have never even heard." 2 . They... read more
They rewarded me evil for good (comp. Psalms 35:13 ). Among those who slandered him were persons with whose troubles he had sympathized, and for whom he had prayed with fasting when they were sick. His worst persecutor, Saul, admitted the charge here made. "Thou art more righteous than I," he said; "for thou hast rewarded me good, whereas I have rewarded thee evil" ( 1 Samuel 24:17 ). To the spoiling of my soul ; or, the desolating of my soul. The result of his enemies' machinations... read more
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The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 35:5
Let them be as chaff before the wind (comp. Psalms 1:4 ; Isaiah 17:13 ; Isaiah 29:5 ; Hosea 13:3 ). Chaff is the type of whatever is light, vain, futile, and worthless; chaff driven before the wind represents the confused rout of a beaten army flying without any resistance before an enemy. And let the angel of the Lord chase them ; rather, smite them. The angel of the Lord, who protects the righteous ( Psalms 34:7 ), is called on to complete the discomfiture of the wicked ones,... read more