psalm-35:4-6,-psalm-35:8-niv

A 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 prepared to say so: but we are prepared to contend that many of the criticisms passed on it are utterly unworthy of those who thus criticize. £ If we will but study the whole psalm in all its bearings while we may not feel called on to justify every expression therein, we... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 35:1-28

The 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 special reference to the days of Messiah. Others again hold that he speaks as a holy man, moved by the Holy Spirit to record the feelings that had passed through his own heart in time of trial. This last seems the more reasonable interpretation. I. First it agrees best with ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 35:4

Let 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 those periods, most probably to the former (see the introductory paragraph, and note the resemblance between this passage and 1 Samuel 20:1 ; 1 Samuel 22:23 ). Let them be turned back and brought to confusion that devise my hurt. Imprecations closely resembling these... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 35:5

Let them be as chaff before the wind (comp. Psalms 1:4 ; Isaiah 17:13 ; Isaiah 29:5 ; Hosea 13:3 ). Chaff is the type of whatever is light, vain, futile, and worthless; chaff driven before the wind represents the confused rout of a beaten army flying without any resistance before an enemy. And let the angel of the Lord chase them ; rather, smite them. The angel of the Lord, who protects the righteous ( Psalms 34:7 ), is called on to complete the discomfiture of the wicked ones,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 35:6

Let their way be dark and slippery ; literally, darkness and slipperiness ; i.e. let them fly along dark and slippery paths, where they cannot see their way, and will be sure to stumble and fall. And let the angel of the Lord persecute them; rather, pursue after them. read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 35:4

Let them be confounded - That is, Let them, through Thy gracious interposition in my behalf, be so entirely overcome and subdued that they shall be “ashamed” that they ever made the effort to destroy me; let them see so manifestly that God is on my side that they will be covered with confusion for having opposed one who was so entirely the object of the divine protection and care. See Psalms 6:10, note; Psalms 25:2-3, notes. Compare the notes at Job 6:20.That seek after my soul - My life. That... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 35:5

Let them be as chaff before the wind - As chaff is driven away in winnowing grain. See the notes at Psalms 1:4.And let the angel of the Lord chase them - Drive them away, or scatter them. Angels are often represented in the Scriptures as agents employed by God in bringing punishment on wicked people. See 2 Kings 19:35; Isaiah 37:36; 1Ch 21:12, 1 Chronicles 21:30; 2 Samuel 24:16. read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 35:6

Let their way be dark - Margin, as in Hebrew: “darkness.” That is, let them not be able to see where they go; what danger they incur; what is before them. The idea is that of persons who wander in the night, not knowing what is before them, or what danger may be near. The succession of images and figures here is terrific. The representation is that of persons scattered as the chaff is before the wind; pursued by the angel seeking vengeance; and driven along a dark and slippery path, with no... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Psalms 35:4

Psalms 35:4. Let them be confounded That is, frustrated and disappointed in their wicked designs and hopes against me. Or, they shall be disappointed: for this and the following verses, to Psalms 35:9, may be considered as a prediction of the ruin and destruction which were about to come on the enemies of David, and on those of the Messiah and his church. Accordingly, Dr. Waterland renders them all in the future, whereas our translation by putting them in the optative mood, has given them... read more

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 35:1-28

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 35:1-28

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 35:1-28

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 35:4

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 35:5

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 35:6

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 35:4

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 35:5

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 35:6

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Psalms 35:4

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