Psalms 35
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Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
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 (Psa 35:9-10, Psa 35:18, Psa 35:27-28) with promises of praise for the desired relief, in which his friends will unite. The historical occasion is probably 1Sa. 24:1-22. (Psa. 35:1-28) God is invoked in the character of a warrior (Exo 15:3; Deu 32:41).
Open source ↗Plead my cause, O Lord, with them that strive with me,.... Meaning Saul and his courtiers; concerning whom he elsewhere desires that the Lord would judge between them, plead his cause, and deliver him; as he accordingly did, and maintained it, and the righteousness of it, Sa1 24:12. So Christ pleaded not his own cause as man, but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously; and his people leave their cause with him, who is their advocate, and is able to plead it thoroughly; and does plead it against wicked and ungodly men, who unrighteously charge them; against. Satan the accuser of the brethren, who stands at their right hand to resist them; and against their own hearts, and the sins of them, which lust and war against them, and condemn them; fight against them that fight against me: so the Lord is sometimes represented as a man of war, and Christ as a warrior fighting for the saints; and safe are they on whose side he is; but miserable all such who are found fighters against him and his; for none ever opposed him and prospered.
Open source ↗The psalmist begins in a martial and anthropomorphical style such as we have not hitherto met with. On the ultima-accentuation of ריבה, vid., on Psa 3:8. Both את are signs of the accusative. This is a more natural rendering here, where the psalmist implores God to subjugate his foes, than to regard את as equivalent to עם (cf. Isa 49:25 with ib. Psa 27:8; Job 10:2); and, moreover, for the very same reason the expression in this instance is לחם, (in the Kal, which otherwise only lends the part. לחם, Psa 56:2., to the Niph. נלחם) instead of the reciprocal form הלּחם. It is usually supposed that לחם means properly vorare, and war is consequently conceived of as a devouring of men; but the Arabic offers another primary meaning: to press close and compact (Niph. to one another), consequently מלחמה means a dense crowd, a dense bustle and tumult (cf. the Homeric κλόνος). The summons to Jahve to arm, and that in a twofold manner, viz., with the מגן for warding off the hostile blow and צנּה (vid., Ps 5:13) which covers the body like a testudo - by which, inasmuch as it is impossible to hold both shields at the same time, the figure is idealised - is meant to express, that He is to make Himself felt by the foes, in every possible way, to their own confounding, as the unapproachable One. The ב of בּעזרתי (in the character of help turned towards me) is the so-called Beth essentiae, (Note: The Hebrew Beth essentiae is used much more freely and extensively than the Arabic, which is joined exclusively to the predicate of a simple clause, where in our language the verb is "to be," and as a rule only to the predicate of negative clauses: laisa bi-hakı̂mim, he is not wise, or laisa bi-l-hakı̂mi, he is not the wise man. The predicate can accordingly be indeterminate or determinate. Moreov…
Open source ↗In these verses we have, I. David's representation of his case to God, setting forth the restless rage and malice of his persecutors. He was God's servant, expressly appointed by him to be what he was, followed his guidance, and aimed at his glory in the way of duty, had lived (as St. Paul speaks) in all good conscience before God unto this day; and yet there were those that strove with him, that did their utmost to oppose his advancement, and made all the interest they could against him; they fought against him (Psa 35:1), not only undermined him closely and secretly, but openly avowed their opposition to him and set themselves to do him all the mischief they could. They persecuted him with an unwearied enmity, sought after his soul (Psa 35:4), that is, his life, no less would satisfy their bloody minds; they aimed to disquiet his spirit and put that into disorder. Nor was it a sudden passion against him that they harboured, but inveterate malice: They devised his hurt, laid their heads together, and set their wits on work, not only to do him a mischief, but to find out ways and means to ruin him. They treated him, who was the greatest blessing of his country, as if he had been the curse and plague of it; they hunted him as a dangerous beast of prey; they digged a pit for him and laid a net in it, that they might have him at their mercy, Psa 35:7. They took a great deal of pains in persecuting him, for they digged a pit (Psa 7:15); and very close and crafty they were in carrying on their designs; the old serpent taught them subtlety: they hid their net from David and his friends; but in vain, for they could not hide it from God. And, lastly, he found himself an unequal match for them. His enemy, especially Saul, was too strong for him (Psa 35:10), for he had the army a…
Open source ↗Ps 35 In this lament, the Lord’s troubled servant calls for God to see his circumstances and vindicate him.
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
דָּוִד (Dâvid, H1732) — David, the youngest son of Jesse רִיב (rîyb, H7378) — properly, to toss, i.e. grapple; mostly figuratively, to wrangle, i.e. hold a… יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God יָרִיב (yârîyb, H3401) — literally he will contend; properly, adjective, contentious; used as noun, an adversary לָחַם (lâcham, H3898) — to feed on; figuratively, to consume; by implication, to battle (as destruction)
Open source ↗חָזַק (châzaq, H2388) — to fasten upon; hence, to seize, be strong (figuratively, courageous, causatively… מָגֵן (mâgên, H4043) — a shield (i.e. the small one or buckler); figuratively, a protector; also the scaly hide… צִנָּה (tsinnâh, H6793) — a hook (as pointed); also a (large) shield (as if guarding by prickliness); also cold (as… קוּם (qûwm, H6965) — to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative) עֶזְרָה (ʻezrâh, H5833) — aid
Open source ↗רוּק (rûwq, H7324) — to pour out (literally or figuratively), i.e. empty חֲנִית (chănîyth, H2595) — a lance (for thrusting, like pitching a tent) סָגַר (çâgar, H5462) — to shut up; figuratively, to surrender קִרְאָה (qirʼâh, H7125) — an encountering, accidental, friendly or hostile (also adverbially, opposite) רָדַף (râdaph, H7291) — to run after (usually with hostile intent; figuratively (of time) gone by) אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) נֶפֶשׁ (nephesh, H5315) — properly, a breathing creature, i.e. animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in… יְשׁוּעָה (yᵉshûwʻâh, H3444) — something saved, i.e. (abstractly) deliverance; hence, aid, victory, prosperity
Open source ↗בּוּשׁ (bûwsh, H954) — properly, to pale, i.e. by implication to be ashamed; also (by implication) to be… כָּלַם (kâlam, H3637) — properly, to wound; but only figuratively, to taunt or insult בָּקַשׁ (bâqash, H1245) — to search out (by any method, specifically in worship or prayer); by implication, to… נֶפֶשׁ (nephesh, H5315) — properly, a breathing creature, i.e. animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in… סוּג (çûwg, H5472) — properly, to flinch, i.e. (by implication) to go back, literally (to retreat) or… אָחוֹר (ʼâchôwr, H268) — the hinder part; hence (adverb) behind, backward; also (as facing north) the West חָפֵר (châphêr, H2659) — to blush; figuratively, to be ashamed, disappointed; causatively, to shame, reproach חָשַׁב (châshab, H2803) — properly, to plait or interpenetrate, i.e. (literally) to weave or (generally) to… רַע (raʻ, H7451) — bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral)
Open source ↗מֹץ (môts, H4671) — chaff (as pressed out, i.e. winnowed or (rather) threshed loose) פָּנִים (pânîym, H6440) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and… רוּחַ (rûwach, H7307) — wind; by resemblance breath, i.e. a sensible (or even violent) exhalation; figuratively,… מֲלְאָךְ (mălʼâk, H4397) — a messenger; specifically, of God, i.e. an angel (also a prophet, priest or teacher) יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God דָּחָה (dâchâh, H1760) — to push down
Open source ↗דֶּרֶךְ (derek, H1870) — a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb חֹשֶׁךְ (chôshek, H2822) — the dark; hence (literally) darkness; figuratively, misery, destruction, death,… חֲלַקְלַקָּה (chălaqlaqqâh, H2519) — properly, something very smooth; i.e. a treacherous spot; figuratively, blandishment מֲלְאָךְ (mălʼâk, H4397) — a messenger; specifically, of God, i.e. an angel (also a prophet, priest or teacher) יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God רָדַף (râdaph, H7291) — to run after (usually with hostile intent; figuratively (of time) gone by)
Open source ↗חִנָּם (chinnâm, H2600) — gratis, i.e. devoid of cost, reason or advantage טָמַן (ṭâman, H2934) — to hide (by covering over) רֶשֶׁת (resheth, H7568) — a net (as catching animals) שַׁחַת (shachath, H7845) — a pit (especially as a trap); figuratively, destruction חָפַר (châphar, H2658) — properly, to pry into; by implication, to delve, to explore נֶפֶשׁ (nephesh, H5315) — properly, a breathing creature, i.e. animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in…
Open source ↗שׁוֹא (shôwʼ, H7722) — a tempest; by implication, devastation בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) יָדַע (yâdaʻ, H3045) — to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses,… לֹא (lôʼ, H3808) — not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles רֶשֶׁת (resheth, H7568) — a net (as catching animals) טָמַן (ṭâman, H2934) — to hide (by covering over) לָכַד (lâkad, H3920) — to catch (in a net, trap or pit); generally, to capture or occupy; also to choose (by… נָפַל (nâphal, H5307) — to fall, in a great variety of applications (intransitive or causative, literal or…
Open source ↗נֶפֶשׁ (nephesh, H5315) — properly, a breathing creature, i.e. animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in… גִּיל (gîyl, H1523) — properly, to spin round (under the influence of any violent emotion), i.e. usually… יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God שׂוּשׂ (sûws, H7797) — to be bright, i.e. cheerful יְשׁוּעָה (yᵉshûwʻâh, H3444) — something saved, i.e. (abstractly) deliverance; hence, aid, victory, prosperity
Open source ↗עֶצֶם (ʻetsem, H6106) — a bone (as strong); by extension, the body; figuratively, the substance, i.e. (as pron.)… אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God נָצַל (nâtsal, H5337) — to snatch away, whether in a good or a bad sense עָנִי (ʻânîy, H6041) — depressed, in mind or circumstances חָזָק (châzâq, H2389) — strong (usu. in a bad sense, hard, bold, violent) אֶבְיוֹן (ʼebyôwn, H34) — destitute גָּזַל (gâzal, H1497) — to pluck off; specifically to flay, strip or rob
Open source ↗חָמָס (châmâç, H2555) — violence; by implication, wrong; by meton. unjust gain עֵד (ʻêd, H5707) — concretely, a witness; abstractly, testimony; specifically, a recorder, i.e. prince קוּם (qûwm, H6965) — to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative) שָׁאַל (shâʼal, H7592) — to inquire; by implication, to request; by extension, to demand יָדַע (yâdaʻ, H3045) — to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses,…
Open source ↗שָׁלַם (shâlam, H7999) — to be safe (in mind, body or estate); figuratively, to be (causatively, make) completed;… רַע (raʻ, H7451) — bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral) טוֹב (ṭôwb, H2896) — good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the… שְׁכוֹל (shᵉkôwl, H7908) — bereavement נֶפֶשׁ (nephesh, H5315) — properly, a breathing creature, i.e. animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in…
Open source ↗חָלָה (châlâh, H2470) — properly, to be rubbed or worn; hence (figuratively) to be weak, sick, afflicted; or… לְבוּשׁ (lᵉbûwsh, H3830) — a garment (literally or figuratively); by implication (euphemistically) a wife שַׂק (saq, H8242) — properly, a mesh (as allowing a liquid to run through), i.e. coarse loose cloth or… עָנָה (ʻânâh, H6031) — to depress literally or figuratively, transitive or intransitive (in various… נֶפֶשׁ (nephesh, H5315) — properly, a breathing creature, i.e. animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in… צוֹם (tsôwm, H6685) — a fast תְּפִלָּה (tᵉphillâh, H8605) — intercession, supplication; by implication, a hymn שׁוּב (shûwb, H7725) — to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not… חֵיק (chêyq, H2436) — the bosom (literally or figuratively)
Open source ↗הָלַךְ (hâlak, H1980) — to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively) רֵעַ (rêaʻ, H7453) — an associate (more or less close) אָח (ʼâch, H251) — a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or… שָׁחַח (shâchach, H7817) — to sink or depress (reflexive or causative) קָדַר (qâdar, H6937) — to be ashy, i.e. darkcolored; by implication, to mourn (in sackcloth or sordid garments) אָבֵל (ʼâbêl, H57) — lamenting אֵם (ʼêm, H517) — a mother (as the bond of the family); in a wide sense (both literally and figuratively…
Open source ↗Cross-references
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Vindicate me, O God, and plead my case against an ungodly nation; deliver me from deceitful and unjust men.
Defend my cause and redeem me; revive me according to Your word.
Therefore this is what the LORD says: “Behold, I will plead your case and take vengeance on your behalf; I will dry up her sea and make her springs run dry.
Indeed, this is what the LORD says: “Even the captives of the mighty will be taken away, and the plunder of the tyrant will be retrieved; I will contend with those who contend with you, and I will save your children.
for their Redeemer is strong; He will take up their case against you.
for the LORD will take up their case and will plunder those who rob them.
You defend my cause, O Lord; You redeem my life.
May the LORD be our judge and decide between you and me. May He take notice and plead my case and deliver me from your hand.”
But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop them. You may even find yourselves fighting against God.”
He caused their chariot wheels to wobble, so that they had difficulty driving. “Let us flee from the Israelites,” said the Egyptians, “for the LORD is fighting for them against Egypt!”