10 All my bones say, `Jehovah, who is like Thee, Delivering the poor from the stronger than he, And the poor and needy from his plunderer.'
Who `is' like Thee among the gods, O Jehovah? Who `is' like Thee -- honourable in holiness -- Fearful in praises -- doing wonders?
There is none like Thee among the gods, O Lord, And like Thy works there are none.
He delivereth me from my strong enemy, And from those hating me, For they have been stronger than I.
And Thy righteousness, O God, `is' unto the heights, Because Thou hast done great things, O God, who `is' like Thee?
Who doth not fear Thee, king of the nations? For to Thee it is becoming, For among all the wise of the nations, And in all their kingdom there is none like Thee.
And unto whom do ye liken Me, And `am' I equal? saith the Holy One.
Rob not the poor because he `is' poor, And bruise not the afflicted in the gate. For Jehovah pleadeth their cause, And hath spoiled the soul of their spoilers.
I have known that Jehovah doth execute The judgment of the afflicted, The judgment of the needy.
He turned unto the prayer of the destitute, And He hath not despised their prayer. This is written for a later generation, And the people created do praise Jah. For He hath looked From the high place of His sanctuary. Jehovah from heaven unto earth looked attentively, To hear the groan of the prisoner, To loose sons of death,
And He saveth the wasted from their mouth, And from a strong hand the needy, And there is hope to the poor, And perverseness hath shut her mouth.
For who in the sky, Compareth himself to Jehovah? Is like to Jehovah among sons of the mighty? God is very terrible, In the secret counsel of His holy ones, And fearful over all surrounding Him. O Jehovah, God of Hosts, Who `is' like Thee -- a strong Jah? And Thy faithfulness `is' round about Thee.
For Jehovah hearkeneth unto the needy, And His bound ones He hath not despised.
Soundness is not in my flesh, Because of Thine indignation, Peace is not in my bones because of my sin.
He is keeping all his bones, One of them hath not been broken.
This poor `one' called, and Jehovah heard, And from all his distresses saved him.
For He hath not despised, nor abominated, The affliction of the afflicted, Nor hath He hidden His face from him, And in his crying unto Him He heareth.
As waters I have been poured out, And separated themselves have all my bones, My heart hath been like wax, It is melted in the midst of my bowels.
And he hath been reproved With pain on his bed, And the strife of his bones `is' enduring. And his life hath nauseated bread, And his soul desirable food. His flesh is consumed from being seen, And high are his bones, they were not seen! And draw near to the pit doth his soul, And his life to those causing death. If there is by him a messenger, An interpreter -- one of a thousand, To declare for man his uprightness: Then He doth favour him and saith, `Ransom him from going down to the pit, I have found an atonement.' Fresher `is' his flesh than a child's, He returneth to the days of his youth.
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible » Commentary on Psalms 35
Commentary on Psalms 35 Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
PSALM 35
Ps 35:1-28. The Psalmist invokes God's aid, contrasting the hypocrisy, cunning, and malice of his enemies with his integrity and generosity. The imprecations of the first part including a brief notice of their conduct, the fuller exposition of their hypocrisy and malice in the second, and the earnest prayer for deliverance from their scornful triumph in the last, are each closed (Ps 35:9, 10, 18, 27, 28) with promises of praise for the desired relief, in which his friends will unite. The historical occasion is probably 1Sa 24:1-22.
1-3. God is invoked in the character of a warrior (Ex 15:3; De 32:41).
3. fight against—literally, "devour my devourers."
stop the way against—literally, "shut up" (the way), to meet or oppose, &c.
I … thy salvation—who saves thee.
4. (Compare Ps 9:17).
devise my hurt—purpose for evil to me.
5, 6. (Compare Ps 1:4)—a terrible fate; driven by wind on a slippery path in darkness, and hotly pursued by supernatural violence (2Sa 24:16; Ac 12:23).
7, 8. net in a pit—or, "pit of their net"—or, "net-pit," as "holy hill" for "hill of holiness" (Ps 2:6); a figure from hunting (Ps 7:15). Their imprecations on impenitent rebels against God need no vindication; His justice and wrath are for such; His mercy for penitents. Compare Ps 7:16; 11:5, on the peculiar fate of the wicked here noticed.
10. All my bones—every part.
him that spoileth him—(Compare Ps 10:2).
11. False witnesses—literally, "Witnesses of injustice and cruelty" (compare Ps 11:5; 25:19).
12-14. Though they rendered evil for good, he showed a tender sympathy in their affliction.
spoiling—literally, "bereavement." The usual modes of showing grief are made, as figures, to express his sorrow.
13. prayer … bosom—may denote either the posture—the head bowed—(compare 1Ki 18:42)—or, that the prayer was in secret. Some think there is a reference to the result—the prayer would benefit him if not them.
14. behaved—literally, "went on"—denoting his habit.
heavily—or, "squalidly," his sorrowing occasioning neglect of his person. Altogether, his grief was that of one for a dearly loved relative.
15, 16. On the contrary, they rejoiced in his affliction. Halting, or, "lameness," as in Ps 38:17 for any distress.
abjects—either as cripples (compare 2Sa 4:4), contemptible; or, degraded persons, such as had been beaten (compare Job 30:1-8).
I knew it not—either the persons, or, reasons of such conduct.
tear me, and ceased not—literally, "were not silent"—showing that the tearing meant slandering.
16. mockers—who were hired to make sport at feasts (Pr 28:21).
17. darling—(Compare Ps 22:20, 21).
18. (Compare Ps 22:22).
19. enemies wrongfully—by false and slanderous imputations.
wink with the eye—an insulting gesture (Pr 6:13).
without a cause—manifests more malice than having a wrong cause.
20. deceitful matters—or, "words of deceit."
quiet in the land—the pious lovers of peace.
21. On the gesture compare Ps 22:7; and on the expressions of malicious triumph, compare Ps 10:13; 28:3.
23, 24. (Compare Ps 7:6; 26:1; 2Th 1:6). God's righteous government is the hope of the pious and terror of the wicked.
25. swallowed him up—utterly destroyed him (Ps 21:9; La 2:16).
26. clothed—covered wholly (Job 8:22).
27. favour … cause—delight in it, as vindicated by Thee.
Let the Lord, &c.—Let Him be greatly praised for His care of the just.
28. In this praise of God's equitable government (Ps 5:8) the writer promises ever to engage.