GLEANINGS IN THE PSALMS

(Psalm 35)

This is one of David's "Psalms of Imprecation", the other three being, the seventh, the sixty-ninth and the one-hundred-and-ninth.

David's strong cries for justice have caused many to recoil from these psalms and slip into that soul-destroying sin of casting doubt upon God's Holy Word. And yet, not only are these words of David set forth for our learning here but, as Andrew Bonar so rightly sees in them – "The awful utterance of the Holy One regarding those that hate Him without a cause." It is our dis-similarity to Christ that makes us adopt a wrong view about justice, but, again as Bonar points out, that shall be remedied in that day when we shall see Christ as He is, and shall be like him … …

There is nothing in this Psalm wherein God's people may not fully join, especially on that day when their views of justice shall be far clearer and fuller than now. On that day we shall be able to understand how Samuel could hew Agag in pieces, and the Godly hosts of Israel utterly slay in Canaan man and woman and child, at God's command. We shall be able, not only to fully agree in the doom – "Let them be confounded," etc., but even to sing, "Amen, Hallelujah," over the smoke of torment; (Revelations 19 verses 1-2).

Andrew Bonar

Verse 1. "Plead my cause, O Lord, with them that strive with me …" Doth a Nimrod oppress thee? A Laban defraud thee? Yet, take not the matter into thine own hands by attempting unlawful courses. Presume not to be judge in thine own cause, but often remember what the apostle taught his Thessalonians: "It is a righteous thing with God to recompence tribulation to them that trouble you."

From Isaac Craven's Sermon at Paul's Cross (1630)

Verse 3. "Draw out also the spear, and stop the way …" The spear in the days of Saul and David was a favourite weapon. A valiant man bravely defending a narrow pass might singly with his lance keep back a pursuing host, and give time for his friends to escape. David would have his God become his heroic defender, making his enemies to pause.

Charles Haddon Spurgeon

Verse 3. "… say unto my soul, I am thy salvation." If God speak comfort, let hell roar horror. God may speak
(i) With His own Voice; and thus he gave assurance to Abraham.
(ii) He may speak by His Works; for, actual mercies to us demonstrate that we are in his favour, and shall not be condemned.
(iii) He may speak by His Son; "Come unto me, all yet that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest."
(iv) He may speak by His Scripture; this is God's epistle to us, and his letter patent, wherein are granted to us all the privileges of salvation.
(v) He may speak by His ministers; for, to them he hath given "the ministry of reconciliation."
(vi) He doth speak this by His Spirit; he "sendeth forth the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, Abba, Father." By all theses voices, God says to His Elect, "I am thy salvation."

Thomas Adams

Verse 8. "Let destruction come upon him at unawares …" This tremendous imprecation is frequently fulfilled. God's judgments are often sudden and unexpected. Death enters the persecutors' houses without pausing to knock at their doors. The thunderbolt of justice leaps from its hiding-place, and in one crash the wicked are broken for ever. "… and let his net that he hath hid catch himself." Men set a trap and catch their own fingers. They throw up stones and they fall upon their own heads. How often Satan outwits himself and burns himself with his own coals! This will doubtless be one of the aggravations of hell, that men will torment themselves with what were once the fond devices of their rebellious minds. They curse, and are cursed. They kick the pricks, and tear themselves. They pour forth floods of fire, and it burns them within and without.

C. H. S.

Verse 12. "They rewarded me evil for good …" Fulfilled in David, but perfectly fulfilled in "Great David's Greater Son," and still experienced to some degree in the lives of "all those who would live righteously in Christ."

Verse 13. "But as for me, when they were sick, my clothing was sackcloth …" In their adversity in the past David had been a friend in need and a fellow-sufferer in their sufferings …

Verse 15. "But in mine adversity they rejoiced …" And such as rejoiced in the sufferings of others are sick of the devil's disease. O sires, do not make others' mourning your music; do not make others' tears your wine.

Thomas Brooks