Ps. 35 THE ARGUMENT This Psalm was penned by David when he was slandered and persecuted by Saul and his stewards, as is manifest from the whole body of it. David prayeth for his own safety, Ps. 35:1–2, and his enemies’ destruction, Ps.

Seeing I am unable to right myself and the magistrates refuse to do me justice, be thou my Patron and Protector.

Take hold of shield and buckler; therewith to cover and defend me. Compare Ps. 91:4, Prov. 2:7.

The spear; thy offensive weapons. He alludes to the practice of soldiers in battle. The way, in which they are marching directly and furiously against me.

Confounded, i.e. frustrated in their wicked designs and hopes against me. Concerning this, and the like, and following imprecations, which may seem strange and severe, it must be considered, 1.

As chaff before the wind, i.e. dispersed and chased from place to place, finding rest and safety no where. The angel of the Lord; whom God useth to defend his people, and to destroy their enemies.

Their way, by which they flee, being chased, as was now said. Dark and slippery; so as they can neither discern the right path, nor be able to stand in it, and much less to run away, especially from so swift a persecutor as an angel, whereby they must unavoidably fall into their enemies’ hands, and…

Out of mere malice, without any injury or provocation on my part, and without any necessity on their parts. They are no common, but the worst of enemies; and therefore I may justly pray against them, as I do.

Upon him, i.e. upon each of thine and mine implacable enemies, of whom he hath hitherto spoken.

In the Lord; in and for his glory and service, which shall be advanced by this means, and for his favour to me, otherwise I am far from rejoicing in their calamities.

All my bones, i.e. my whole body, by a synecdoche, as Ps. 34:20, as well as my soul, mentioned Ps. 35:9. I will glorify thee, both with my soul and with my body. Shall say: speech is ascribed to the bones figuratively, as elsewhere they are said to fear and to rejoice, Ps. 6:2, Ps.

They accused me to Saul of treachery and designs against his crown and life, and other crimes whereof I was wholly innocent and ignorant.

For good; for the good offices which did to divers of them when I had favour and power in Saul’s court and camp. To the spoiling of my soul, i.e. to the stripping of my person of all my comforts and hopes, and of my life itself.

Sick; or in any other great misery. Sackcloth; which was the habit of mourners, Gen. 37:34, Matt. 11:21, Rev. 11:3. I humbled my soul, Heb. I afflicted my soul, (of which phrase see Lev. 16:29, Lev. 16:31, Lev. 23:27, Lev.

I behaved myself, Heb. I walked; either to him, to visit and comfort him; or about the streets, whither my occasions led me. Though walking is oft put for a man’s carriage or conversation. I bowed down; went hanging down my head, as mourners used to do, Isa. 58:5.

In mine adversity, Heb. in my halting, i.e. when I was in great danger of falling into mischief; when I had any sickness, or ill success in my affairs, and was almost lost; for such are said to halt, Mic. 4:6–7, Zeph. 3:19, Ps. 38:17, Jer. 20:10.

Hypocritical, or profane, as this word signifies, Job 8:13, Job 13:16, Job 15:34, Job 17:8, and, as some add, in all other places. Mockers; whose common practice it is to scoff at and deride others, and me in particular.

Look on, like an idle spectator, without affording me any pity or help. My darling, to wit, my soul, as it is in the former clause. Heb. my only one; which is now left alone and forsaken by my friends, and hath none to trust to but God. See Poole “Ps. 22:20”.

When I shall be restored to the liberty of the public assemblies and solemn feasts.

Wink with their eye, i.e. mock me, or insult over me, as this phrase signifies, Prov. 6:13, Prov. 10:10.

Verse 20. They are enemies to all peaceable counsels; they breathe out nothing but threatenings and war. They use not only open violence, but deceit, and subtle artifices, against me and my followers, who desire nothing more than to live quietly and peaceably under Saul’s government.

They opened their mouth wide against me; either, 1. To devour me. It is a metaphor taken from wild beasts, when they come within reach of their prey. Or; 2. To pour forth whole floods of scoffs, and slanders, and contumelies. Aha, aha; an expression of joy and triumph. See Poole “Job 39:25, Ps.

As they say they have seen, so my comfort is, thou also hast seen, and dost observe all their plots and threats, and all my distresses and calamities, which I suffer for thy sake. Keep not silence; or, be not deaf, to wit, to my prayers. The same word signifies both to be silent and to be deaf.

At last undertake to plead my cause against mine adversaries.

Thy righteousness; whereby thou usest and lovest to defend the innocent, and to punish their oppressors.

Ah, so would we have it; Heb. Aha, our soul, i.e. Oh our soul crieth, Aha; an expression of mirth, as before, Ps. 35:21. Or, Aha, we have our wish or desire, as the soul is taken, Ps. 41:2. David is now as low as we could wish him.

As they gathered themselves together to deride and oppose me, so do thou gather them together to destroy them. Or, in like manner, one as well as another; let the proud and great ones of them be disappointed and ashamed as well as the meanest among them. Themselves; the same ellipsis we have Ps.

That favour my righteous cause; that wish well to it, although they want either strength or courage to plead it. Magnified, i.e. exalted and praised for his righteousness, and truth, and goodness manifested in my deliverance. Mine enemies’ great design is to magnify themselves, Ps.