Psalm 35:19-28 Let not them that are my enemies wrongfully rejoice over me: neither let them wink with the eye that hate me without a cause.… The substance of this third division is a continuous prayer that God would give him to triumph over his enemies; and the plans on which the prayer is grounded. I. HE PRAYS THAT THE CAUSE OF UNRIGHTEOUSNESS MAY NOT TRIUMPH. 1. The enmity of his enemies was without just cause. (Ver. 19.) To be unjustly accused wounds a good man very deeply. 2. He was the champion of public order and peace: and therefore they opposed him. (Ver. 20.) Employed deceitful words and schemes to disturb and overthrow the public peace. Bad men therefore. 3. God himself was the witness of their injustice and wickedness. (Ver. 21.) And cannot but interpose of his own righteous will. 4. He appeals to God on the ground of his personal righteousness. (Vers. 23, 24.) Not on the ground of his perfection; but he appeals to his upright aim and just purpose and general rectitude. The righteous God must therefore overthrow his enemies. God's righteousness, and his own could not both be defeated. Their just retribution was to be clothed with confusion and dishonour. The psalmist is so sure that his prayer will be answered and his enemies punished, that we have next. - II. A GRATEFUL ANTICIPATION OF THE VICTORY. 1. He calls upon all who love righteousness to magnify the work of God. (Ver. 27, "who have pleasure in my justification, or righteousness.") The victory of the psalmist over his wicked enemies. 2. He himself will sing of the righteousness of God for ever. (Ver. 28, "all the day long.") We should praise God for ever as the Author of all our moral and spiritual victories. "Not unto us, but unto thy Name, O Lord," etc. - S. Parallel Verses KJV: Let not them that are mine enemies wrongfully rejoice over me: neither let them wink with the eye that hate me without a cause. |
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