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Psalms 35:1-28

The Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 35:1-28

The Pulpit Commentary · Joseph S. Exell and contributors · Public domain

EXPOSITION

A PSALM ascribed to David by the title, and with many characteristics of his early style—abrupt, impassioned, full of lively and graphic images, and full of transitions The picture which the writer draws of his own circumstances and position (, ) accords well with what we know of David's life when he was a fugitive from Saul, and there is a special agreement between the first verse of the psalm and words historically ascribed to David at this period of his career (). The psalm naturally divides itself into three portions, nearly of equal length (; 11-18; and 19-28), in each of which may be traced the three elements of complaint, prayer, and promise of thanksgiving; the promise of thanksgiving being in each case reserved to the close. Prayer predominates in the first and third portions, complaint () in the second.

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Matthew Henry on Psalms 35:1-10Psalms 35:1-10 · Matthew Henry Concise CommentaryIt is no new thing for the most righteous men, and the most righteous cause, to meet with enemies. This is a fruit of the old enmity in the seed of the serpent against the Seed of the woman. David in his afflictions, Ch…The Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 35:1Psalms 35:1 · The Pulpit CommentaryPlead my cause, O Lord, with them that strive with me: fight against them that fight against me was a smaller hand-weapon; the buckler (tsinnah)covered the whole body" (Kay). The "shield and buckler" are put forward fir…The Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 35:1-28Psalms 35:1-28 · The Pulpit CommentaryA hard case-a very hard one-laid before God. This is one of those psalms in which the writers often meet with much scolding and with scant sympathy. It has been said that this psalm is not worthy of David. We are not pr…The Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 35:1-28Psalms 35:1-28 · The Pulpit CommentaryThe flesh and the Spirit. This psalm has been variously interpreted. Some say David speaks here representatively, not for himself, but for the community of Israel Others say that he speaks prophetically, and with specia…The Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 35:1-10Psalms 35:1-10 · The Pulpit CommentaryBattle and victory. The psalmist complains of unbelievers, ungodly enemies, prays for deliverance, giving promise of thanksgiving if his prayer is granted. The psalm falls into three divisions, in each of which the thre…
commentaryMatthew Henry on Psalms 35:1-10It is no new thing for the most righteous men, and the most righteous cause, to meet with enemies. This is a fruit of the old enmity in the seed of the serpent against the Seed of the woman. David in his afflictions, Ch…Matthew HenrycommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 35:1Plead my cause, O Lord, with them that strive with me: fight against them that fight against me was a smaller hand-weapon; the buckler (tsinnah)covered the whole body" (Kay). The "shield and buckler" are put forward fir…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 35:1-28A hard case-a very hard one-laid before God. This is one of those psalms in which the writers often meet with much scolding and with scant sympathy. It has been said that this psalm is not worthy of David. We are not pr…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 35:1-28The flesh and the Spirit. This psalm has been variously interpreted. Some say David speaks here representatively, not for himself, but for the community of Israel Others say that he speaks prophetically, and with specia…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 35:1-10Battle and victory. The psalmist complains of unbelievers, ungodly enemies, prays for deliverance, giving promise of thanksgiving if his prayer is granted. The psalm falls into three divisions, in each of which the thre…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 35:3The assurance of salvation. "Say unto my soul," etc. Can the heart frame, the lips utter, a more ambitious request? "Creator and Preserver of all being, Almighty, Eternal, Infinite God, speak to me, even me; tell me tha…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 35:3Draw out also the spear; rather, bring out also the spear, since spears were not, so far as is known, kept in sheaths, like swords (Exodus 15:9), but only laid up in an armoury. And stop the way against them that persec…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 35:4Let them be confounded and put to shame that seek after my soul. It appears from this that David's life is being sought, which only happened at two periods in his career: The psalm therefore belongs to one or other of t…Joseph S. Exell and contributors