Commentaires bibliques

Ps 35:1-28.

The Psalmist invokes God's aid, contrasting the hypocrisy, cunning, and malice of his enemies with his integrity and generosity. The imprecations of the first part including a brief notice of their conduct, the fuller exposition of their hypocrisy and malice in the second, and the earnest prayer for deliverance from their scornful triumph in the last, are each closed

(Ps 35:9, 10, 18, 27, 28)

with promises of praise for the desired relief, in which his friends will unite. The historical occasion is probably

1Sa 24:1-22.

1-3. God is invoked in the character of a warrior

(Ex 15:3; De 32:41).

3. fight against--literally, "devour my devourers."

stop the way against--literally, "shut up" (the way), to meet or oppose, &c.

I . . . thy salvation--who saves thee.

4. (Compare

Ps 9:17).

devise my hurt--purpose for evil to me.

5, 6. (Compare

Ps 1:4)

--a terrible fate; driven by wind on a slippery path in darkness, and hotly pursued by supernatural violence

(2Sa 24:16; Ac 12:23).

7, 8. net in a pit--or, "pit of their net"--or, "net-pit," as "holy hill" for "hill of holiness"

(Ps 2:6);

a figure from hunting

(Ps 7:15).

Their imprecations on impenitent rebels against God need no vindication; His justice and wrath are for such; His mercy for penitents. Compare

Ps 7:16; 11:5,

on the peculiar fate of the wicked here noticed.

10. All my bones--every part.

him that spoileth him--(Compare

Ps 10:2).

11. False witnesses--literally, "Witnesses of injustice and cruelty" (compare

Ps 11:5; 25:19).

12-14. Though they rendered evil for good, he showed a tender sympathy in their affliction.

spoiling--literally, "bereavement." The usual modes of showing grief are made, as figures, to express his sorrow.