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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 35:11-16

Two very wicked things David here lays to the charge of his enemies, to make good his appeal to God against them?perjury and ingratitude. I. Perjury, Ps. 35:11. When Saul would have David attainted of treason, in order to his being outlawed, perhaps he did it with the formalities of a legal prosecution, produced witnesses who swore some treasonable words or overt acts against him, and he being not present to clear himself (or, if he was, it was all the same), Saul adjudged him a traitor. This... 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

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 35:12

To the spoiling of my soul - To destroy my life; so נפש nephesh should be translated in a multitude of places, where our translators have used the word soul. read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 35:12

Verse 12 12.They render me evil for good. David again shows that the malice of his enemies was of a very aggravated character, because they not only oppressed him wrongfully, seeing he was innocent, and had given them no occasion of offense, but also because even those who had received much enjoyment and many favors from him, recompensed him in a very strange and ungrateful manner. Such disgraceful conduct wounds the feelings of good men very severely, and seems quite intolerable. But it is an... 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 35:11-18

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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 35:11-18

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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 35:12

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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