Verse 1

Plead = Contend, or strive. Note the Figure of speech Exergasia (App-6) in the words "plead", "fight", "take hold", "stand up", "draw out", "stop", "say", &c.; continued in verses: Psalms 35:4, Psalms 35:5. Psalm probably written during and concerning the times of 1 Samuel 21:24, 1 Samuel 21:26-27, but it relates also to David"s Son and David"s Lord, the Messiah, in view of Psa 22. See the Structure on p. 721. Compare especially verses: Psalms 35:15-21 with Matthew 26:67. Mark 14:65. Luke 22:63.

them that strive = my contenders.

Fight = make war.

Verse 2

shield, &c. Figure of speech Anthropopatheia.

Verse 3

stop = close up. Some render "battle axe" or "barricade".

persecute = pursue.

my soul = me (emph.) Hebrew. nephesh.

Verse 5

wind. Hebrew. ruach.

the angel of the LORD. See note on Psalms 34:7.

Verse 7

without cause. See note on Psalms 35:19.

net in a pit: i.e. a pit covered with a net.

Verse 10

All my bones = all the members of my body. Interpretation belongs to the speaker. The Application belongs (1) to the O.T. saints (Psalms 139:13-16), and (2) to the later members referred to in Ephesians 1:22, Ephesians 1:23; Ephesians 2:21; Ephesians 4:4-16. Note their experiences: Psalms 6:2 (vexed); Psalms 22:14 (out of joint); but "not broken" (Psalms 34:20, John 19:36. Exodus 12:46); His heart broken (Psalms 69:20); so our hearts (Psalms 34:18); but not ourselves (John 10:27-29).

say. They speak: and always of HIM. Figure of speech Prosopopoeia, for emphasis. They all and always confess Christ as LORD (1 Corinthians 12:3. 1 Peter 3:15).

who is like . . . ? Figure of speech Erotesis (App-6), for greater emphasis. Compare their words (Psalms 71:19; Psalms 73:25; Psalms 89:6. 1 Samuel 2:2. Deuteronomy 33:26, Deuteronomy 33:27).

deliverest = rescuest. Compare 2 Timothy 4:18. 2 Peter 2:9.

poor = oppressed. Compare Psalms 34:6.

too strong. Law too strong (Galatians 1:3, Galatians 1:10, Galatians 1:13); sin too strong (Romans 5:21); the world too strong (John 16:33); self too strong (Romans 7:24); death too strong (2 Timothy 1:10).

Verse 11

False witnesses. "Many of them". Compare Matthew 26:60, Matthew 26:61; Matthew 27:40. Mark 14:55-59.

Verse 12

evil. Hebrew. ra"a. App-44.

spoiling = bereaving.

Verse 13

clothing, &c. Figure of speech Metonymy (of Adjunct), App-6, put, by Symbol, for feelings of sorrow.

with fasting = in the Fast: i.e. on the great Day of Atonement (Lev 16)

Verse 15

adversity = halting or falling. Compare Psalms 38:17. Jeremiah 20:10.

abjects = outcasts.

it. Supply Ellipsis (App-6), by reading "[them]".

tear me. Hebrew. kar"u (with Ayin = "). Spelled with Aleph (kar"u); it means "cry out". See note on Isaiah 11:4.

Verse 16

hypocritical mockers in feasts. Figure of speech Ellipsis (of Repetition) = "hypocrites [at feasts] mocking at the feast". App-6.

Verse 17

LORD*. The primitive text was Jehovah. App-4. Altered to "Adonai" by the Sopherim. See App-32.

My darling = My only one. See note on Psalms 22:20.

from the lions. Compare Psalms 22:13, Psalms 22:16.

Verse 18

congregation = assembly, or convocation.

much = mighty.

Verse 19

that hate me. Quoted in John 15:25.

without a cause. Note the same Greek word there (dorean) as in Romans 3:24, rendered "freely", but meaning "without a cause". Compare Psalms 35:7, and Psalms 69:4; Psalms 109:3.

Verse 20

deceitful matters. Hebrew "words of frauds".

Verse 21

opened their mouth. Implying contempt.

Aha, aha. Figure of speech Epizeuxis (App-6), for emphasis. See Psalms 40:15; Psalms 70:3. Compare Mark 15:29.

hath seen. Implying delight in so doing.

Verse 22

Thou hast seen. Another eye has seen.

Verse 23

judgment = vindication.

my God and my Lord. Compare John 20:28.

God. Hebrew. Elohim. App-4.

Lord. Hebrew Adonai. App-4.

Verse 24

Judge = Vindicate.

Verse 25

we = our soul. Hebrew. nephesh. App-13:. we have our great desire at last.

Verse 26

clothed with shame. Compare Psalms 109:29; Psalms 132:18.

Verse 27

my righteous cause = my justification.

Verse 28

To the chief Musician. See App-64.