Psalms 35:8

8 So let them be destroyed without warning. Let the trap they set for me catch them. Let them fall into the pit and be destroyed.

Psalms 35:8 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 35:8

Let destruction come upon him at unawares
Or a "storm" {r}, such as is caused in the eastern countries by a south wind, very sudden, violent, and destructive F19: the singular number being here used, some Jewish commentators, as Kimchi, have thought Saul is particularly meant; and some Christian interpreters have been of opinion that Judas is intended: the imprecations here may be compared with those which respect him, ( Psalms 109:6-8 ) . Though this may regard every one of the enemies of David, or of Christ and his people, whose ruin and destruction will come upon them unawares; see ( 1 Thessalonians 5:3 ) ( Revelation 18:7 Revelation 18:8 ) ;

and let his net that he hath laid catch himself;
a figurative expression, agreeable to the allusion before made, and which is explained in the next clause;

into that very destruction let him fall,
which he had designed and contrived for others; so Haman was hanged on the same gallows he had prepared for Mordecai; and so it often is in the course of Providence, that the wicked fall into the same calamity they have intended and endeavoured to bring others into; see ( Psalms 7:15 Psalms 7:16 ) ( Psalms 9:15 Psalms 9:16 ) .


FOOTNOTES:

F18 (hawv) "tumultuosa calamitas", Cocceius; so Ainsworth; "tumultus", Vatablus.
F19 See Thevenot, Tavernier

Psalms 35:8 In-Context

6 Let their path be dark and slippery, while the angel of the LORD chases them.
7 They set a trap for me without any reason. Without any reason they dug a pit to catch me.
8 So let them be destroyed without warning. Let the trap they set for me catch them. Let them fall into the pit and be destroyed.
9 Then I will be full of joy because of what the LORD has done. I will be glad because he has saved me.
10 My whole being will cry out, "Who is like you, Lord? You save poor people from those who are too strong for them. You save poor and needy people from those who rob them."
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