Psalm 35:8

8 But destruction will catch them before they know it; they will be caught in their own trap and fall to their destruction!

Psalm 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 ) .

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FOOTNOTES:

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

Psalm 35:8 In-Context

6 May their path be dark and slippery while the angel of the Lord strikes them down!

7 Without any reason they laid a trap for me and dug a deep hole to catch me.

8 But destruction will catch them before they know it; they will be caught in their own trap and fall to their destruction!

9 Then I will be glad because of the Lord; I will be happy because he saved me.

10 With all my heart I will say to the Lord, "There is no one like you. You protect the weak from the strong, the poor from the oppressor."