Psalm 35:20 NIV

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 35:20

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 Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 35:20

Verse 20 In the following verse, that he may cherish still greater confidence in God, David again declares, that he has to do with enemies of an irreconcilable character, and who are fully bent upon cruelty. Of this we ought to be firmly persuaded, that the more grievously we are oppressed, so much the more certainly ought we to expect deliverance. He therefore says, that they speak of nothing but of tumults and slaughter. The meaning of the latter clause is somewhat obscure, arising from the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 35:1-28

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 35:19-28

The main element of this, the third section of the psalm, is prayer. Complaint finds a voice in Psalms 35:20 , Psalms 35:21 , and thanksgiving in Psalms 35:28 ; but with these exceptions, the strophe is one long strain of prayer. The prayer is, first, negative: "Let not mine enemies rejoice" ( Psalms 35:19 ); "Keep not silence" ( Psalms 35:22 ); "Be not far from me" ( Psalms 35:22 ). But after this it becomes mainly positive: "Stir up thyself, and awake to judgment" ( Psalms... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 35:19-28

Pleas for triumph. The substance of this third division is a continuous prayer that God would give him to triumph over his enemies; and the plans on which the prayer is grounded. I. HE PRAYS THAT THE CAUSE OF UNRIGHTEOUSNESS MAY NOT TRIUMPH . 1 . The enmity of his enemies was without just cause. ( Psalms 35:19 .) To be unjustly accused wounds a good man very deeply. 2 . He was the champion of public order and peace : and therefore they opposed him. (... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 35:20

For they speak not peace . Once more the language of complaint. David's enemies, though they have driven him from the court, and made him a fugitive and a wanderer, were not yet satisfied. They did not speak him peace. They continued to scheme against him. But they devise deceitful matters against them that are quiet in the land . David, if let alone, was willing enough to have remained "quiet in the land." He was a fugitive and an outlaw; but, could he have obtained a safe refuge—the cave... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 35:20

For they speak not peace - They seek a quarrel. They are unwilling to be on good terms with others, or to live in peace with them. The idea is that they were “disposed” or “inclined” to quarrel. Thus we speak now of persons who are “quarrelsome.They devise deceitful matters - literally, “they think of words of deceit.” That is, they set their hearts on misrepresentation, and they study such misrepresentations as occasions for strife with others. They falsely represent my character; they... read more

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

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

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 35:20

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 35:1-28

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 35:1-28

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 35:1-28

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 35:19-28

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 35:19-28

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 35:20

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 35:20

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