Psalm 35

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 35:13

But as for me, when they were sick, my clothing was sackcloth . It is suggested that David had acted thus, especially in the case of Saul, when he was first afflicted with his terrible malady ( 1 Samuel 16:14-23 ; 1 Samuel 18:10 ); but he appears to speak of his habitual practice, whenever any of his friends were sick. (On the putting on of sackcloth as a sign of grief, see Genesis 37:34 ; 2 Samuel 3:31 ; 2 Samuel 21:10 ; 1 Kings 21:27 ; 2 Kings 6:30 ; 2 Kings 19:1 ; ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 35:14

I behaved myself as though he had been my friend or brother. In every such case I sympathized with the sufferer to such an extent, that my conduct was like that of an intimate friend or a brother. I bowed down heavily, as one that mournsth for his mother. Nay, I went further; I took on all those outward signs of grief which are usual when a man has lost his mother. I "bowed down heavily," as though I could scarcely stand. The Orientals are extreme and exaggerated in their manifestations... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 35:15

But in mine adversity they rejoiced, and gathered themselves together; rather, in my fall , or in my halting ; "when I halted" (Revised Version). "The word implies a sudden slip and overthrow," such as is represented in 1 Samuel 18:8-29 . Yea, the abjects gathered themselves together against me. Compare the case of Job ( Job 30:1-14 ). It is a matter of common experience that when men fall from a high position into misfortune, the base vulgar crowd always turns against them... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 35:16

With hypocritical mockers in feasts ; literally, profane jesters of cakes ; i.e. ribald parasites at a great man's table, whose coarse buffoonery entitles them to a share of the dainties; they made me their butt, their jest, and their byword (cf. Job 30:9 ). They gnashed upon me with their teeth ; i.e. spoke fiercely and angrily against me, like dogs that snarl and show their teeth (comp. Job 16:9 ; Psalms 37:12 ). read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 35:17

Lord, how long wilt thou look on? "How long?" is the common cry of sufferers ( Job 19:2 ; Psalms 6:3 ; Psalms 13:1 ; Psalms 79:5 ; Psalms 89:46 ; Habakkuk 1:2 ; Revelation 6:10 ), who do not recognize the wholesome discipline of suffering, or realize the fact implied in the phrase, "No cross, no crown." Man desires immediate deliverance; God mostly delays his deliverance until Patience has "had her perfect work" ( James 1:4 ). Rescue my soul from their destructions, my... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 35:18

I will give thee thanks in the great congregation: I win praise thee among much people. The promise is repeated (see Psalms 35:9 , Psalms 35:10 ); hut, as before, it is conditional on deliverance being granted, and intended to induce God to grant it, and to grant it speedily. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 35:19

Let not them that are mine enemies wrongfully rejoice over me (comp. Psalms 38:19 , where David says that those who "hated him wrongfully" were "multiplied"). David feels that no one had any reason to hate him, since he had always sought the good of all with whom he came into contact (see Psalms 35:12 ). Neither let them wink with the eye that hate me without a cause ; i.e. let them not have cause to wink to each other in self-congratulation on their having triumphed over me... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 35:19-28

The main element of this, the third section of the psalm, is prayer. Complaint finds a voice in Psalms 35:20 , Psalms 35:21 , and thanksgiving in Psalms 35:28 ; but with these exceptions, the strophe is one long strain of prayer. The prayer is, first, negative: "Let not mine enemies rejoice" ( Psalms 35:19 ); "Keep not silence" ( Psalms 35:22 ); "Be not far from me" ( Psalms 35:22 ). But after this it becomes mainly positive: "Stir up thyself, and awake to judgment" ( Psalms... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 35:19-28

Pleas for triumph. The substance of this third division is a continuous prayer that God would give him to triumph over his enemies; and the plans on which the prayer is grounded. I. HE PRAYS THAT THE CAUSE OF UNRIGHTEOUSNESS MAY NOT TRIUMPH . 1 . The enmity of his enemies was without just cause. ( Psalms 35:19 .) To be unjustly accused wounds a good man very deeply. 2 . He was the champion of public order and peace : and therefore they opposed him. (... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 35:20

For they speak not peace . Once more the language of complaint. David's enemies, though they have driven him from the court, and made him a fugitive and a wanderer, were not yet satisfied. They did not speak him peace. They continued to scheme against him. But they devise deceitful matters against them that are quiet in the land . David, if let alone, was willing enough to have remained "quiet in the land." He was a fugitive and an outlaw; but, could he have obtained a safe refuge—the cave... read more

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 35:13

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 35:14

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 35:15

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 35:16

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 35:17

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 35:18

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 35:19

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 35:19-28

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 35:19-28

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 35:20

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