Psalm 35:8

8 Let ¹destruction come upon him unawares *, And ²let the net which he hid catch himself; Into that very ³destruction let him fall.

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 Let their way be dark and slippery, With the angel of the LORD pursuing them.

7 For without cause they hid their net for me; Without cause they dug a pit for my soul.

8 Let destruction come upon him unawares , And let the net which he hid catch himself; Into that very destruction let him fall.

9 And my soul shall rejoice in the LORD ; It shall exult in His salvation.

10 All my bones will say, "LORD , who is like You, Who delivers the afflicted from him who is too strong for him, And the afflicted and the needy from him who robs him?"

Cross References

• 1. Psalms 55:23; Isaiah 47:11; 1 Thessalonians 5:3
• 2. Psalms 9:15
• 3. Psalms 73:18