Psalms 35
FBMeyerPsalms 35:1-17
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.
Who is like unto Thee?This Psalm dates from the sauline persecution or from the disturbed state of the kingdom in david’s later days. Each of the three divisions into which the Psalm naturally falls ends with praise (Psalms 35:9; Psalms 35:18; Psalms 35:28).
Continually in this Psalm we meet with imprecations on the wicked. The spirit of the New Testament teaches us a higher law, the law of love and forgiveness (Luke 9:55-56). But perhaps it is better to read these verses as predictions: thus, “Let them be confounded,” would read. “They will be confounded.” Much of it could be only true in its deepest sense, when uttered by the Messiah: rejected by Pharisee and Scribe; unconscious of any personal hatred; and only prompted by an absorbing passion for the vindication of the righteousness of God.
Psalms 35:3I am thy salvation. What a thrill passes through the soul when God whispers this assurance “I am thy salvation!” God Himself is even more to us than what He has done. He is in us, around us, for us. He is our salvation.
Psalms 35:5 The Angel of the Lord. This is He who appeared to Abraham and accompanied the wilderness-march. How awful that He should be wrath and pursue!
Psalms 35:7 Their net in a pit. The pit-net was covered over by the hunter with a net and with twigs, to ensure the fall and capture of a wild beast."
Psalms 35:9-10 My soul shall be joyful. We pray and are not always careful to return thanks. “Who is like unto Thee?” is a snatch from the song at the Red Sea (Exodus 15:11). Psalms 35:11 They laid to my charge. “They ask me of things that I know not” (R.V.). The idea being that his enemies sought to elicit by questions some ground for accusation (Mark 14:55; Luke 11:53; John 18:19).
Psalms 35:12-14 But as for me. How true this was of the Lord Jesus; weeping, praying, dying for his foes (Luke 19:41-44). When our prayers and tears cannot avail for others, they return to bless ourselves (Matthew 10:13). “Darling” is soul (Psalms 35:17).
Psalms 35:20 The Quiet in the Land. This was the title adopted by holy men in Germany through long and dark days and is beautifully significant of those whose life is hidden with Christ in God.
Psalms 35:22 This Thou hast seen. What a striking contrast between God’s seeing and the seeing of the previous verse, directed towards the fall and destruction of the persecuted one!
Psalms 35:24 Judge me, O Lord!. It is a comfort to appeal from the judgments of men to the bar of God and to claim his interposition and vindication–which must come, though years pass on without an answer.
Psalms 35:28 My tongue shall speak of Thy praise!. What might not life be, if this were our resolution! Such is the spirit of heaven. Of its inhabitants it is said, “they rest not day and night” (Revelation 4:8).
Psalms 35:18-28
an Appeal to the Righteous Judge Psalms 35:18-28 Psalms 35:20 : “ The Quiet in the Land” was the title adopted by holy men and women in Germany, during long dark days when religion was under an eclipse. It is beautifully appropriate to those whose life is “ hid with Christ in God.” “ We are in Him that is true,” Colossians 3:1-4; 1 John 5:20. Psalms 35:24 : Judge me, O Lord! What a comfort it is to appeal from the judgments of men to the bar of God! We know that the soul’ s Advocate there will plead its cause with the eloquence of love. His interposition and vindication will clear us. God has seen! God will not keep silence! He is not far away! Psalms 35:27-28 : We desire that others should join us in praise. “ One seraph cried to another” in Isaiah’ s vision. There should be a holy emulation in thanksgiving. Oh, that the resolution of the psalmist might characterize us all; and that all our days might be full of praise, instead of the constant murmuring and complaining which are so rife even among God’ s children!
Who is like unto Thee?This Psalm dates from the sauline persecution or from the disturbed state of the kingdom in david’s later days. Each of the three divisions into which the Psalm naturally falls ends with praise (Psalms 35:9; Psalms 35:18; Psalms 35:28).
Continually in this Psalm we meet with imprecations on the wicked. The spirit of the New Testament teaches us a higher law, the law of love and forgiveness (Luke 9:55-56). But perhaps it is better to read these verses as predictions: thus, “Let them be confounded,” would read. “They will be confounded.” Much of it could be only true in its deepest sense, when uttered by the Messiah: rejected by Pharisee and Scribe; unconscious of any personal hatred; and only prompted by an absorbing passion for the vindication of the righteousness of God.
Psalms 35:3I am thy salvation. What a thrill passes through the soul when God whispers this assurance “I am thy salvation!” God Himself is even more to us than what He has done. He is in us, around us, for us. He is our salvation.
Psalms 35:5 The Angel of the Lord. This is He who appeared to Abraham and accompanied the wilderness-march. How awful that He should be wrath and pursue!
Psalms 35:7 Their net in a pit. The pit-net was covered over by the hunter with a net and with twigs, to ensure the fall and capture of a wild beast."
Psalms 35:9-10 My soul shall be joyful. We pray and are not always careful to return thanks. “Who is like unto Thee?” is a snatch from the song at the Red Sea (Exodus 15:11). Psalms 35:11 They laid to my charge. “They ask me of things that I know not” (R.V.). The idea being that his enemies sought to elicit by questions some ground for accusation (Mark 14:55; Luke 11:53; John 18:19).
Psalms 35:12-14 But as for me. How true this was of the Lord Jesus; weeping, praying, dying for his foes (Luke 19:41-44). When our prayers and tears cannot avail for others, they return to bless ourselves (Matthew 10:13). “Darling” is soul (Psalms 35:17).
Psalms 35:20 The Quiet in the Land. This was the title adopted by holy men in Germany through long and dark days and is beautifully significant of those whose life is hidden with Christ in God.
Psalms 35:22 This Thou hast seen. What a striking contrast between God’s seeing and the seeing of the previous verse, directed towards the fall and destruction of the persecuted one!
Psalms 35:24 Judge me, O Lord!. It is a comfort to appeal from the judgments of men to the bar of God and to claim his interposition and vindication–which must come, though years pass on without an answer.
Psalms 35:28 My tongue shall speak of Thy praise!. What might not life be, if this were our resolution! Such is the spirit of heaven. Of its inhabitants it is said, “they rest not day and night” (Revelation 4:8).