Verses 1-31

The strongest of the imprecatory Pss. (see Intro.). Probably it is just to regard the Psalmist as speaking in the name of the whole nation, vexed and harried by foreign enemies, e.g. Antiochus Epiphanes. The theory that the Psalmist recounts the curses used against him by his enemies is untenable. Calvin notes the awful use of this Ps. by certain monks, who hired themselves out to recite it against private enemies.

6. Satan] RV 'an adversary.' The word has both meanings in Hebrew. Satan was the accuser who blamed men before God: cp. Job 1, 2; Zechariah 3.

7. Let his prayer become sin] truly a horrible curse: cp. Proverbs 15:8.

8. Let another take his office] cp. the reference to Judas Iscariot (Acts 1:20). Hence this was known to the early Fathers as 'Psalmus Iscarioticus.'

10. Let them seek, etc.] better, 'let them be driven out far from their desolate homes.'

11. Spoil] better, 'make spoil of.'

23. I am tossed up and down] better, 'I am shaken off like a locust.'