Psalm 35:18-21

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 35:17-28

In these verses, as before, I. David describes the great injustice, malice, and insolence, of his persecutors, pleading this with God as a reason why he should protect him from them and appear against them. 1. They were very unrighteous; they were his enemies wrongfully, for he never gave them any provocation: They hated h 2be1 im without a cause; nay, for that for which they ought rather to have loved and honoured him. This is quoted, with application to Christ, and is said to be fulfilled in... 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

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 35:18

I will give thee thanks in the great congregation - I hope to be able to attend at the tabernacle with thy followers, and there publicly express my gratitude for the deliverance thou hast given me. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 35:19

That are mine enemies - Saul and his courtiers. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 35:21

They opened their mouth wide - Gaped upon me to express their contempt. And said, Aha, aha, our eye hath seen it - They said, האח האח heach , read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 35:18

Verse 18 18.I will magnify thee in the great congregation. In this verse David again engages to give thanks to God for all his goodness, since the faithful can render him no other recompense than the sacrifice of praise, as we shall see in Psalms 116:17. Thus even whilst he was surrounded by the impetuous billows of fear and danger, he sets himself to the exercise of giving thanks, as if he had already obtained his desire; and by this he intended to encourage and confirm himself in the... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 35:19

Verse 19 19.Let not those who are my enemies wrongfully rejoice over me. Because David’s enemies already exulted in the hope of seeing his overthrow and destruction, he prays that God would not suffer them to realize a desire so wicked. In order to render God favorable to his cause, he again protests that they hated him without any fault or occasion on his part, and that it was their own malice which urged them to such cruelty against him; for in order to secure the help of God, it is necessary... read more

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