Psalms 35:1-17 - Frederick Brotherton Meyer's Commentary

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Rescuing the Poor and Needy

Psalms 35:1-17

This psalm dates from the Sauline persecution, or else from the disturbed condition of the kingdom in David's later years. Each of the three divisions into which the psalm naturally falls ends with praise, Psalms 35:9; Psalms 35:18; Psalms 35:28.

Throughout the psalm we meet with strong imprecations on the wicked. The spirit of the New Testament inculcates a higher law of love and forgiveness, Luke 9:55-56. Therefore our Lord rebuked His Apostles when they called for fire from heaven. He said: “You do not understand that you have passed out of the Old Covenant into the New.” It has been suggested that the maledictions of these verses should be read as predictions. Thus, “Let them be confounded” would read, “They will be confounded.” “Their way will be dark and slippery.” “The angel of the Lord will oppose them,” etc.

What a thrill passes through the soul when God whispers the assurance, I am thy salvation! “Who is like unto thee!” Exodus 15:11.

Related Commentaries of Psalms 35:1

Psalms 35:1-17

1 Plead my cause, O LORD, with them that strive with me: fight against them that fight against me.

2 Take hold of shield and buckler, and stand up for mine help.

3 Draw out also the spear, and stop the way against them that persecute me: say unto my soul, I am thy salvation.

4 Let them be confounded and put to shame that seek after my soul: let them be turned back and brought to confusion that devise my hurt.

5 Let them be as chaff before the wind: and let the angel of the LORD chase them.

6 Let their way be darka and slippery: and let the angel of the LORD persecute them.

7 For without cause have they hid for me their net in a pit, which without cause they have digged for my soul.

8 Let destruction come upon him at unawares; and let his net that he hath hid catch himself: into that very destruction let him fall.

9 And my soul shall be joyful in the LORD: it shall rejoice in his salvation.

10 All my bones shall say, LORD, who is like unto thee, which deliverest the poor from him that is too strong for him, yea, the poor and the needy from him that spoileth him?

11 Falseb witnesses did rise up; they laid to my charge things that I knew not.

12 They rewarded me evil for good to the spoilingc of my soul.

13 But as for me, when they were sick, my clothing was sackcloth: I humbledd my soul with fasting; and my prayer returned into mine own bosom.

14 I behaved myself as though he had been my friend or brother: I bowed down heavily, as one that mourneth for his mother.

15 But in mine adversitye they rejoiced, and gathered themselves together: yea, the abjects gathered themselves together against me, and I knew it not; they did tear me, and ceased not:

16 With hypocritical mockers in feasts, they gnashed upon me with their teeth.

17 Lord, how long wilt thou look on? rescue my soul from their destructions, my darlingf from the lions.