Psalm 35:23

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 35:23

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

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 35:23

Stir up thyself, and awake to my judgment - I have delivered my cause into thy hand, and appeal to thee as my Judge; and by thy decision I am most willing to abide. 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 35:23

Stir up thyself, and awake to my judgment (camp. Psalms 80:2 ; Psalms 44:23 ; Psalms 78:65 ). The psalmists call on God to awake, not as though he were really asleep, but as a sort of stirring appeal to him to arise and manifest himself. Even unto my cause, my God and my Lord. "Awake," i.e; "to judge my cause—to acquit me, and condemn my enemies" (camp. Psalms 9:4 ; Psalms 35:1 ; Psalms 43:1 , etc.). read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 35:23

Stir up thyself - Arouse thyself as if from sleep. See Psalms 44:23.And awake to my judgment - To execute judgment for me, or to render me justice. A similar petition (almost in the same words) occurs in Psalms 7:6. See the notes at that passage.Even unto my cause - In my behalf; or, in the cause which so nearly pertains to me. read more

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