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John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 35:10

Verse 10 10.O Jehovah! who is like thee? Here he explains more fully the nature of his joy in the salvation of God of which he had spoken, showing that it consisted in his ascribing entirely to God the deliverance which he had obtained. Men, in general, praise God in such a manner that he scarcely obtains the tenth part of his due. But David, distinguishing him from all others, distinctly declares that the whole glory of his deliverance is due to him alone. And, certainly, we then only yield to... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 35:1-10

Battle and victory. The psalmist complains of unbelievers, ungodly enemies, prays for deliverance, giving promise of thanksgiving if his prayer is granted. The psalm falls into three divisions, in each of which the three elements of complaint, prayer, and thanksgiving are contained. The divisions are Psalms 35:1-10 ; Psalms 35:11-18 ; Psalms 35:19-28 . Take first division and its suggestions ( Psalms 35:1-10 ). I. EVERY MAN HAS A SPIRITUAL BATTLE TO FIGHT , We... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 35:1-28

A hard case-a very hard one-laid before God. This is one of those psalms in which the writers often meet with much scolding and with scant sympathy. It has been said that this psalm is not worthy of David. We are not prepared to say so: but we are prepared to contend that many of the criticisms passed on it are utterly unworthy of those who thus criticize. £ If we will but study the whole psalm in all its bearings while we may not feel called on to justify every expression therein, we... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 35:1-28

The flesh and the Spirit. This psalm has been variously interpreted. Some say David speaks here representatively, not for himself, but for the community of Israel Others say that he speaks prophetically, and with special reference to the days of Messiah. Others again hold that he speaks as a holy man, moved by the Holy Spirit to record the feelings that had passed through his own heart in time of trial. This last seems the more reasonable interpretation. I. First it agrees best with ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 35:4

Let them be confounded and put to shame that seek after my soul. It appears from this that David's life is being sought, which only happened at two periods in his career: The psalm therefore belongs to one or other of those periods, most probably to the former (see the introductory paragraph, and note the resemblance between this passage and 1 Samuel 20:1 ; 1 Samuel 22:23 ). Let them be turned back and brought to confusion that devise my hurt. Imprecations closely resembling these... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 35:6

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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 35:7

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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 35:8

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

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