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
Swallowed him up - בלענוהו billaanuhu , we have gulped him down. read more
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
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
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
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
Let them not say in their hearts, Ah! so would we have it (camp. Psalms 35:21 ); literally, ah! our soul, i.e. "our heart's desire is accomplished; we have got our wish." Let them not say, We have swallowed him up; i.e. destroyed him, ruined him, brought him to an evil end. read more
Let them not say in their hearts - Let them not congratulate themselves on the result; let them not feel that they have triumphed; let them not, under thy government, come off victorious in doing wrong.Ah, so would we have it - Margin, as in Hebrew, “Ah, our soul.” That is, It is just as we thought it was; just as we desired it should be; that is exactly our mind in the case. God has permitted us to triumph, and he has showed that we are right in the matter. He has decided the thing in our... read more
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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