Psalm 35

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 35:16

With hypocritical mockers in feasts ,.... That is, the abjects gathered, themselves together with such; these may design Saul's courtiers, his parasites and flatterers, and who were hypocrites in religion also, and made it their business at Saul's table, and in their banquetings and revellings, to mock at David; and who were "hypocritical mockers of" or "for a piece of bread" F25 לעגי מעוג "subsannatoribus subcineritii panis", Vatablus; "subsanmantes propter placentam", Piscator;... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 35:17

Lord, how long wilt thou look on ?.... And behold these injuries and insults, and not arise to help and save? The psalmist firmly believed the omniscience of God, and was well assured he saw all that was done; but he was ready to consider him only as a spectator; or, however, seems impatient until he arose and showed himself strong on his behalf; see Psalm 35:22 ; rescue my soul from their destructions, my darling from the lions ; his "soul" and his "darling" mean the same; either his... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 35:18

I will give thee thanks in the great congregation ,.... This is the resolution the psalmist came unto; the promise he made, that should he be delivered from his enemies, he would give God thanks in the most public manner; that is, he would acknowledge God to be the author of the mercy, and himself unworthy of it; and would ascribe glory, honour, blessing, and thanksgiving to him, in the midst of the church and people of God; they joining with him in it, when he should be restored to an... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 35:19

Let not them that are mine enemies wrongfully rejoice over me ,.... The word "wrongfully" is to be joined not to the word "rejoice", but to the word "enemies"; and the sense is, that they were his enemies wrongfully, for false reasons, unjust causes, or without any cause that was just; as follows; neither let them wink with the eye that hate me without a cause ; such were David's enemies, particularly Saul, Psalm 7:4 ; and such were the enemies of Christ: this last clause is thought... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 35:20

For they speak not peace ,.... Meaning to himself, or any good man; as Joseph's brethren could not to him, Genesis 37:4 ; such were the men David had to do with, Psalm 120:6 ; and such were the enemies of Christ, who could not give him a good word, nor speak one to him, John 10:20 ; and such are the enemies of his people, who breathe out nothing but threatenings and slaughter, and not anything that tends to peace, to promote and maintain it. Some versions, as the Septuagint, and they... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 35:21

Yea, they opened their mouth wide against me ,.... In laughter, scorn, and derision; see Psalm 22:7 ; and said, Aha, aha : a word expressive of joy; and the doubling it shows the greatness of it; our eye hath seen it ; what their heart wished for; namely, the distress of him, whose enemies they were. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 35:22

This thou hast seen, O Lord ,.... The insults and derisions of these men, and the injuries they did to him, whom they hated. God is omniscient, and sees all things, all the evil wicked men do to him; and he will requite them in his own time; see Psalm 10:14 ; keep not silence ; meaning at his prayers; that he would not be as one deaf and dumb, turning his ears from his cries, and giving no answer to his requests; see Psalm 28:1 ; O Lord, be not far from me ; meaning not as to... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 35:23

Stir up thyself and awake ,.... Who seemed to be asleep in the apprehensions of the psalmist, and to take no notice of his distresses, and the insults of his enemies; see Psalm 44:23 ; he adds, to my judgment, even to my cause ; that is, to plead it and maintain it, and avenge him of his enemies, as in Psalm 35:1 ; making use of his covenant interest in him as a plea for it to engage him to do it, saying, my God, and my Lord ; see Psalm 22:1 . read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 35:24

Judge me, O Lord my God, according to thy righteousness ,.... Either that righteousness of his, by which he justifies his people, which Christ has wrought out, God has accepted of, and imputes; and which, though revealed in the Gospel, was witnessed to by the law and prophets, and was known to the saints under the Old Testament, and particularly to David; see Romans 4:6 ; or the perfection of his justice, his essential righteousness displayed in all his works and actions, and in the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 35:25

Let them not say in their hearts, ah, so would we have it ,.... Or we have what our souls wished for and desired: the sense of the petition is the same with Psalm 27:12 ; let them not say, we have swallowed him up ; as roaring lions swallow down their prey, to which he had compared them, Psalm 35:17 ; and as wicked men eat up the Lord's people as they eat bread, Psalm 14:4 . read more

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