35:1([A Psalm] of David.) Plead [my a cause], O LORD, with
them that strive with me: fight against them that fight
against me.
(a) He desires God to undertake his cause against them who
persecute him and slander him.
35:2b Take hold of shield and buckler, and stand up for mine
help.
(b) Even though God can with his breath destroy all his
enemies, yet the Holy Spirit attributes to him these
outward weapons to assure us of his patient power.
35:3 Draw out also the spear, and stop [the way] against them
that persecute me: say unto my c soul, I [am] thy
salvation.
(c) Assure me against these temptations, that you are the
author of my salvation.
35:5 Let them be as chaff before the wind: and let the angel of
the LORD d chase [them].
(d) Smite them with the spirit of giddiness that their
enterprises may be foolish, and they received just
reward.
35:7 For e without cause have they hid for me their net [in] a
pit, [which] without cause they have digged for my soul.
(e) Showing that we may not call God to be a revenger but
only for his glory, and when our cause is just.
35:8 Let destruction come upon f him at unawares; and let his
net that he hath hid catch himself: into g that very
destruction let him fall.
(f) When he promises peace to himself.
(g) Which he prepared against the children of God.
35:10 All my h 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?
(h) He attributes his deliverance only to God, praising
him therefore both in soul and body.
35:11i False witnesses did rise up; they laid to my charge
[things] that I knew not.
(i) That would not permit me to purge myself.
35:12 They rewarded me evil for good [to] the k spoiling of my
soul.
(k) To have taken from me all comfort and brought me into
despair.
35:13 But as for me, when they were sick, my clothing [was]
sackcloth: I humbled my soul with fasting; and l my
prayer returned into mine own bosom.
(l) I prayed for them with inward affection, as I would
have done for myself: or, I declared my affection with
bowing down my head.
35:15 But in mine m adversity they rejoiced, and gathered
themselves together: [yea], the abjects gathered
themselves together against me, and I knew [it] not; they
did tear n [me], and ceased not:
(m) When they thought me ready to slip and as one that
limped for infirmity.
(n) With their railing words.
35:16 With hypocritical mockers in o feasts, they gnashed upon
me with their teeth.
(o) The word signifies cakes: meaning that the proud
courtiers at their dainty feasts scoff, rail, and
conspire his death.
35:19 Let not them that are mine enemies wrongfully rejoice over
me: [neither] let them p wink with the eye that hate me
without a cause.
(p) In token of contempt and mocking.
35:21 Yea, they opened their mouth wide against me, [and] said,
Aha, aha, q our eye hath seen [it].
(q) They rejoiced as though they had now seen David
overthrown.
35:24 Judge me, O LORD my God, according to thy r
righteousness; and let them not rejoice over me.
(r) It is the justice of God to give to the oppressors
affliction and torment, and to the oppressed aid and
relief, (2Th 1:6).
35:25 Let them not say in their hearts, s Ah, so would we have
it: let them not say, We have swallowed him up.
(s) Because we have that which we sought for, seeing he is
destroyed.
35:26 Let them be ashamed and brought to confusion t together
that rejoice at mine hurt: let them be clothed u with
shame and dishonour that magnify [themselves] against me.
(t) That is, at once, were they never so many or mighty.
(u) This prayer will always be verified against them who
persecute the faithful.
35:27 Let them shout for joy, and be glad, x that favour my
righteous cause: yea, let them say continually, Let the
LORD be magnified, which hath pleasure in the y
prosperity of his servant.
(x) That at least favour my right, though they are not
able to help me.
(y) He exhorts the Church to praise God for the
deliverance of his servants, and for the destruction
of his adversaries.
