Psalm Thirty Five
by Dr. Henry M. Morris
(taken from the Defender's Study Bible)
A Psalm of David.
Plead my cause. As in many of his psalms, David draws on his own experiences (opposition, warfare, betrayal, etc., as well as trust in God and ultimate deliverance). In addition, he is carried by divine inspiration to write in such a way that his own experiences parallel those of many other believers through the ages, and even those of the coming Messiah.
Psalm 35:2 Take hold of shield and buckler, and stand up for mine help.
Let them be confounded. Psalm 35 is considered the first of the so-called “imprecatory psalms,” although there are verses of imprecation in previous psalms. See note on Psalm 5:10.
Psalm 35:5 Let them be as chaff before the wind: and let the angel of the LORD chase them.
Psalm 35:6 Let their way be dark and slippery: and let the angel of the LORD persecute them.
angel of the Lord. The “angel of the Lord” is mentioned only three times in the book of Psalms (Psalm 34:7; 35:5, 6). This title is often given to the Lord Jesus Christ in His pre-incarnate appearances.
that very destruction. A classic example of this principle being carried out was that of Haman being hanged on his own gallows (Esther 7:10).
Psalm 35:9 And my soul shall be joyful in the LORD: it shall rejoice in his salvation.
Psalm 35:11 False witnesses did rise up; they laid to my charge things that I knew not.
False witnesses. The testimony of false witnesses is one of many notes in this psalm that mirrors the experience of Christ (Mark 14:55-59).
Psalm 35:12 They rewarded me evil for good to the spoiling of my soul.
the abjects. The Hebrew word for “abjects” is used in Scripture only this one time. The intended meaning seems to be “wretched smiters” or “despicable attackers.”
Psalm 35:16 With hypocritical mockers in feasts, they gnashed upon me with their teeth.
my darling. See note on Psalm 22:20. The meaning of “my darling” seems to be “my only one,” and could well refer prophetically to Christ, as the only begotten of the Father.
Psalm 35:8 I will give thee thanks in the great congregation: I will praise thee among much people.
great congregation. Compare Psalm 22:25; 40:9. There is a striking correlation between Psalm 35:17-18 with Psalm 22:20-22, 25.
Psalm 35:21 Yea, they opened their mouth wide against me, and said, Aha, aha, our eye hath seen it.
Aha, aha. An expression of malicious joy. See also Psalm 40:15; 70:3.
Psalm 35:22 This thou hast seen, O LORD: keep not silence: O Lord, be not far from me.
Psalm 35:23 Stir up thyself, and awake to my judgment, even unto my cause, my God and my Lord.
Psalm 35:28 And my tongue shall speak of thy righteousness and of thy praise all the day long.