Wesley's Notes on the Bible <<A Psalm of David.>> Plead my cause, O LORD, with them that strive with me: fight against them that fight against me.
Take hold of shield and buckler, and stand up for mine help.
Draw out also the spear, and stop the way against them that persecute me: say unto my soul, I am thy salvation. 35:3 Say - By thy spirit assuring me of it: and by thy providence effecting it.
Let them be confounded and put to shame that seek after my soul: let them be turned back and brought to confusion that devise my hurt.
Let them be as chaff before the wind: and let the angel of the LORD chase them.
Let their way be dark and slippery: and let the angel of the LORD persecute them. 35:6 Their way - By which they flee, being chased.
For without cause have they hid for me their net in a pit, which without cause they have digged for my soul. 35:7 For - Out of mere malice.
Let destruction come upon him at unawares; and let his net that he hath hid catch himself: into that very destruction let him fall.
And my soul shall be joyful in the LORD: it shall rejoice in his salvation.
All my bones shall say, LORD, who is like unto thee, which deliverest the poor from him that is too strong for him, yea, the poor and the needy from him that spoileth him? 35:10 My bones - My whole body, as well as my soul.
False witnesses did rise up; they laid to my charge things that I knew not.
They rewarded me evil for good to the spoiling of my soul.
But as for me, when they were sick, my clothing was sackcloth: I humbled my soul with fasting; and my prayer returned into mine own bosom. 35:13 Returned - Although my fastings and prayers did them no good.
I behaved myself as though he had been my friend or brother: I bowed down heavily, as one that mourneth for his mother.
But in mine adversity they rejoiced, and gathered themselves together: yea, the abjects gathered themselves together against me, and I knew it not; they did tear me, and ceased not: 35:15 Gathered - They were so full of joy, that they could not contain it in their own breasts, but sought to communicate it to others. Abjects - Or, vile persons, either for the meanness of their condition, or for their wickedness. Knew not - While I had no suspicion of them. Tear me - My good name with calumnies, and reproaches and curses.
With hypocritical mockers in feasts, they gnashed upon me with their teeth. 35:16 Mockers - They made themselves buffoons and jesters, and accustomed themselves to mock and deride David, that thereby they might gain admittance to the tables of great men, which was all they sought for.
Lord, how long wilt thou look on? rescue my soul from their destructions, my darling from the lions. 35:17 Look on - Without affording me pity or help. Darling - My soul, Heb. my only one; which is now left alone and forsaken by my friends, and hath none to trust in but God.
I will give thee thanks in the great congregation: I will praise thee among much people. 35:18 I will - When I shall be restored to the liberty of the publick assemblies.
Let not them that are mine enemies wrongfully rejoice over me: neither let them wink with the eye that hate me without a cause.
For they speak not peace: but they devise deceitful matters against them that are quiet in the land. 35:20 For - They breathe out nothing but threatenings and war; they use not open violence but subtile artifices, against me and my followers, who desire nothing more than to live quietly and peaceably.
Yea, they opened their mouth wide against me, and said, Aha, aha, our eye hath seen it. 35:21 Wide - To pour forth whole floods of scoffs and slanders. ha - An expression of joy and triumph. Our eye - What we have long desired and hoped for.
This thou hast seen, O LORD: keep not silence: O Lord, be not far from me. 35:22 This - Thou also hast seen, all their plots and threats, and all my distresses and calamities. Keep not - Be not deaf, to my prayers. The same word signifies, both to be silent, and to be deaf.
Stir up thyself, and awake to my judgment, even unto my cause, my God and my Lord. 35:23 Awake - To plead my cause against mine adversaries.
Judge me, O LORD my God, according to thy righteousness; and let them not rejoice over me.
Let them not say in their hearts, Ah, so would we have it: let them not say, We have swallowed him up.
Let them be ashamed and brought to confusion together that rejoice at mine hurt: let them be clothed with shame and dishonour that magnify themselves against me.
Let them shout for joy, and be glad, that favour my righteous cause: yea, let them say continually, Let the LORD be magnified, which hath pleasure in the prosperity of his servant.
And my tongue shall speak of thy righteousness and of thy praise all the day long. Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible by John Wesley [1754-65] Bible Hub |
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