Psalms 35

Psalms 35:1

PLead my cause] Psalms 43:1. and Psalms 119:154. Lamentations 3:58. He desireth God to undertake his cause, against them that did persecute him, and to plead it with the sword, as 1 Sam 25. 38, 39.

Psalms 35:2

Take hold of shield] Albeit God can with his breath destroy all our enemies, yet the holy Ghost attributeth unto him these outward weapons, to assure us of his present power.

Psalms 35:3

say unto my soul] Assure me that thou wilt deliver me out of these troubles.

Psalms 35:4

Let them be confounded and put to shame that seek after my soul] Psalms 40:15. and Psalms 70:3.

that seek after my soul] Let them that seek my life misse their mark, and so be ashamed.

Psalms 35:5

Let them be as chaff before the winde] Job 21:18. Psalms 1:4. Isaiah 29:5. Hosea 13:3. Smite them with the spirit of gidinesse, that their enterprises may be foolish, and they receive just reward.

Psalms 35:6

dark and slipperie] Heb. darknesse and slipperinesses: that is, very slipperie.

Psalms 35:7

without cause] Shewing, that we may not call God to be a revenger, but onely for his glory, and when our cause is just, psal. 7. 4. and 96. 4.

their net] A metaphor from fowlers and hunters; who use nets and pits to get the prey, psal. 9. 15.

Psalms 35:8

at unawares] Heb. which he knoweth not of] When he promiseth to himself peace, 1 Thess. 5. 3.

into that very destruction let him fall] Which he prepared against the children of God, and me in particular. It is likely this he was Saul.

Psalms 35:10

All my bones shall say] He attributeth his deliverance onely to God, praising him therefore both in soul and body.

Psalms 35:11

False witnesses] Heb. witnesses of wrong.

False witnesses did rise up] They did bear false witnesse against me, and sought to entrap me with questions, and that in things concerning my life, 1 Kings 21:13. Matthew 26:59.

they laid to my chage] Heb. they asked me.

Psalms 35:12

spoiling] Heb. depriving.

Psalms 35:13

humbled] Or, afflicted.

my prayer returned in mine own bosome] I prayed heartily for them: and though they got no good by it, yet I did, Matthew 10:13. Luke 10:6.

Psalms 35:14

behaved my self] Heb. walked.

as though he had been my friend or brother] Heb. as a friend, as a brother to me.

Psalms 35:15

But in mine adversity they rejoyced] When they saw me ready to slip, and as one that halted for infirmity, psal. 38. 16.

adversitie] Heb. haling.

they did tear me, and ceased not] With their railing words, psal. 57. 4. and 120. 3, 4.

Psalms 35:16

hypocriticall] Or, profane.

in feasts] The word signifieth, a cake; meaning, That the proud courtiers, at their dainty feasts, scoffed and railed at him, and conspired his death.

gnashed upon me with their teeth] Psalms 37:12.

Psalms 35:17

how long wilt thou look on] Hab. 1. 13.

my darling] Heb. my onely one, psal. 22. 20.

Psalms 35:18

I will give thee thanks in the great congregation] Psal. 40. 9, 10. and 111. 1. and 22. 25.

much] Heb. strong.

Psalms 35:19

wrongfully] Heb. falsly.

neither let them wink with the eye] In token of contempt and mocking, Proverbs 6:13. and Proverbs 10:10.

Psalms 35:20

deceitfull matters] Heb. words of deceits: that is, most deceitfull.

Psalms 35:21

opened their mouth] Job 16:10. Isaiah 57:4.

Aha, aha, &c.] Psalms 40:15. and Psalms 70:3.

our eye hath seen it] They rejoyced as though they had their desire in Davids destruction, psal. 54. 7. and 59. 10.

Psalms 35:22

keep not silence] Sit not still, but prepare thy self to right me.

Psalms 35:23

awake to my judgement] As if Gods conivence had given this liberty to his foes to wrong him.

Psalms 35:24

according to thy righteousnesse] It belongs to Gods justice to give to the oppressours affliction and torment, and to the oppressed, aid and relief, 2 Thess. 1. 6.

Psalms 35:25

Ah] Heb. Ah, ah, our soul.

Ah, so we would have it] We have our desire, he is destroyed.

We have swallowed him up] As a wilde beast devours his prey: we have altogether swallowed him.

Psalms 35:26

Let them be ashamed and brought to confusion together] Psalms 40:15.

brought to confusion together] That is, at once, were they never so many or mighty.

let them be clothed with shame] Covered all over with it, so that nothing may appear at any time but their shame, psal. 109. 29. and 132. 18. Job 8:22.

Psalms 35:27

Let them shut for joy] Give them cause to rejoyce for my deliverance.

my righteous cause] Heb. my righteousnesse] That at least favour my right, if they be not able to help me.

which hath pleasure in the prosperitie of his servant] Of me: and will delight in their prosperitie, if they serve him faithfully.