Psalms 35:8-18

8 (34-8) Let the snare which he knoweth not come upon him: and let the net which he hath hidden catch him: and into that very snare let them fall.

9 (34-9) But my soul shall rejoice in the Lord; and shall be delighted in his salvation.

10 (34-10) All my bones shall say: Lord, who is like to thee? Who deliverest the poor from the hand of them that are stronger than he; the needy and the poor from them that strip him.

11 (34-11) Unjust witnesses rising up have asked me things I knew not.

12 (34-12) They repaid me evil for good: to the depriving me of my soul.

13 (34-13) But as for me, when they were troublesome to me, I was clothed with haircloth. I humbled my soul with fasting; and my prayer shall be turned into my bosom.

14 (34-14) As a neighbour and as an own brother, so did I please: as one mourning and sorrowful so was I humbled.

15 (34-15) But they rejoiced against me, and came together: scourges were gathered together upon me, and I knew not.

16 (34-16) They were separated, and repented not: they tempted me, they scoffed at me with scorn: they gnashed upon me with their teeth.

17 (34-17) Lord, when wilt thou look upon me? rescue thou my soul from their malice: my only one from the lions.

18 (34-18) I will give thanks to thee in a great church; I will praise thee in a strong people.

Psalms 35:8-18 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO PSALM 35

\\<<[A Psalm] of David>>\\. This psalm seems to have been written by David, when he was persecuted by Saul; and when many false charges were brought against him by his courtiers; and when he was the scorn and derision of the people; the subject of it is pretty much of the same kind with the seventh psalm, and might be written about the same time that was, and on the same occasion; and it may be applied to the church and people of God in like cases. There is a passage in it, Ps 35:19, which our Lord seems to refer to and apply to himself, Joh 15:25; and some interpret the whole of it concerning him. The Arabic version calls it a prophecy of the incarnation; though there does not appear any thing in it applicable to that.