Psalm 35

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 35:6

Let their way be dark and slippery ,.... In which they run before the angel, chasing and pursuing them; so that they know not where they are, at what they stumble, whither to flee, nor how to stand; the ways of wicked men are as darkness, they know not in what condition they are, and whither they are going; and utter darkness, even blackness of darkness, is reserved for them: but here it means a calamitous, uncomfortable, fickle, and unstable situation in this life; see Jeremiah 23:11 .... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 35:7

For without cause have they hid for me their net in a pit ,.... This is said in allusion to the custom of digging pits, and putting nets into them, for the catching of wild beasts; and covering them with straw or dust, or such like things, as Jarchi observes, that they might not be discerned; and which intends the secret and crafty methods taken by David's enemies to ensnare him and destroy him; though he had given them no cause to use him in such a manner; which is an aggravation of their... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 35:8

Let destruction come upon him at unawares ,.... Or a "storm" F18 שואה "tumultuosa calamitas", Cocceius; so Ainsworth; "tumultus", Vatablus. , such as is caused in the eastern countries by a south wind, very sudden, violent, and destructive F19 See Thevenot, Tavernier, &c.; : the singular number being here used, some Jewish commentators, as Kimchi, have thought Saul is particularly meant; and some Christian interpreters have been of opinion that Judas is intended: the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 35:9

And my soul shall be joyful in the Lord ,.... Not in the destruction of his enemies, but in the God of his salvation; the Targum is, "in the Word of the Lord"; the essential Word of God, the promised Messiah, Saviour, and Redeemer. Christ is the object of a believer's joy; he rejoices in his person, as he is the mighty God, able to save him, and to keep what he has committed to him, and to preserve him from falling; as he is God and man in one person, and so fit to be a Mediator between God... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 35:10

All my bones shall say ,.... So, in a figurative sense, vexation and disquietude are ascribed to the bones, Psalm 6:2 ; and sometimes joy and gladness, Psalm 51:8 . His soul is said to rejoice in Psalm 35:9 ; and here his bones are said to show forth the praises of the Lord; and both together design the whole man, as heart and flesh in Psalm 84:2 ; and the bones being the strength of the body may denote his saying what follows, with all his might, and with all his strength, and with... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 35:11

False witnesses did rise up ,.... Against David, saying he sought the hurt of Saul, 1 Samuel 24:9 , as did against David's antitype, the Lord Jesus Christ, Matthew 26:59 ; and against his apostles, Acts 24:5 ; and very frequently do they rise up and bear false witness against his people, which is a very heinous crime; they laid to my charge things that I knew not : such as David was not conscious of, never thought of doing, much less attempted to do; as the taking away of Saul's... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 35:12

They rewarded me evil for good ,.... For the good David did in killing Goliath, and slaying his ten thousands of the Philistines, and thereby saving his king and country, Saul and his courtiers envied him, and sought to slay him: so our Lord Jesus Christ, for all the good he did to the Jews, by healing their bodies of diseases, and preaching the Gospel to them for the benefit of their souls, was rewarded with reproaches and persecutions, and at last with the shameful death of the cross; and... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 35:13

But as for me, when they were sick ,.... Or under any disorder or distress of body or mind, when any misfortune or infirmity attended them; meaning Saul and his courtiers, before David was persecuted by them; my clothing was sackcloth ; that is, he was grieved, and mourned for them, it being usual to put on sackcloth in time of mourning; see Genesis 37:34 ; I humbled my soul with fasting ; on the account of them, giving up himself to prayer for them, as follows: and my prayer... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 35:14

I behaved myself as though he had been my friend or brother ,.... Meaning either Saul or Doeg the Edomite, or some such evil man; somewhat like this he says of Ahithophel, Psalm 41:9 ; and Arama thinks he is meant here; as Christ of Judas, whom he called friend, when he came to betray him; and who not only ate with him at table of his bread, but was steward of his family, and carried the bag, Matthew 26:50 ; I bowed down heavily, as one that mourneth for his mother ; or as a... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 35:15

But in mine adversity they rejoiced ,.... Or "at my halting" F21 בצלעי "in claudicatione mea", Pagninus, Montanus, Vatablus, Gejerus, Michaelis; so Ainsworth. , either by means of falling into sin; good men are subject to slips and falls, and that to the dislocating or breaking of their bones, which cause them to go halting all their days; wicked men watch for their halting, as Jeremiah's familiars did for his, Jeremiah 20:10 ; and rejoice at it; see Psalm 38:16 ; or by falling... read more

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